Damian Parker
Head Coach


Helping you Embrace The Outdoors through trail running.
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I love sport. Plain and simple.
After completing my Bsc Sports Science running crept in and the freedom, the speed, the burning legs and the independence of carrying myself from point A to B was exhilarating. Especially when there were big hills or mountains involved. Running became where it was at for me.
The company I worked for in 2013, Wiggle, were offering free spaces at Brighton Marathon that year so I signed up thinking it would be a doddle. I was wrong, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. but it captivated me- how could I get better? What did better mean for me? ​
I’ve run up and down Snowdon quaffing jelly babies like they were going out of fashion just happy to have finished. Exploring and sharing time with like-minded people is all part of the appeal.
It's the love of moving from point A to B under my own steam and being outdoors as often as I can that led me to create Embrace The Outdoors and become a qualified UESCA Running Coach, UK Athletics Coach in Running Fitness alongside my existing Bsc in Sports Science.
Recently I've accomplished some big personal milestones:
20th at Ring O Fire 2024
19th at Lakes Traverse 100km 2024
3rd at North Cerney Scamper 2024
2nd at Tenacious Ten Hour Hill Climb 2023
1st at the Cotswold 24hr Trail Race 2023
Welsh 3000's May 2023
1st at Tough Runner Cotswold 10km*
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​My mission for ETO is threefold:
- Help people enjoy their running and achieve their goals through structured coaching.
- Introduce people to some of the best trail running amongst quintessentially British countryside here in the Cotswolds.
- Foster an appreciation of "the outdoors" and the benefits it can have on our physical and mental health.
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*When the 8 runners in front of me went the wrong way all I needed to do was keep running. Still got a PB mind!