About Epic Trails

Run leader, Nic Dawson  founded Epic Trails in 2020. 

Based to the north of Glasgow our aim is to share trail running routes, pictures and lead groups to allow others to experience the love of trails.

About Nic Dawson

I’m a full-time working mum with 2 young children. Sport is my hobby and I love it. I have run from a small age, my first run I remember was a 1.5 mile road race when I was about 12 and then the school cross country races on the sand dunes in Irvine with the wind battering me. That didn’t put me off and I did my first half marathon at 17 and the London Marathon at 21.  My main achievements to date are completing the triple crown in 2022 – the Highland Fling, West Highland Way ultra and Devil O’ the Highlands races, completing Celtman solo extreme triathlon and representing GBR in the European Duathlon Championships. 

I run because I enjoy it. It’s an escape from the real world and I get thinking space. I love the outdoors and this gives me a chance to see some amazing scenery. I always run on holiday (at the request of the family) as I find all the great places we can go adventuring to later. I’m also quite competitive and enjoy the races…the muddier the better! I’m a role model to my children and others showing that us girls / mums can do these things and inspire the next generation.

My best and worst run moments: My children being at the end of my ultra races and running with me to cross the finish line, they are my inspiration and love seeing their faces as I near the end. Worst was when I had an undetected stress fracture in my foot which eventually broke, 3 operations over 3 years until it healed and was told at one point I’d never run again.

In my spare time I coach, I was a tennis coach for 20 years until injury struck but I have now retrained and qualified as a personal trainer, running and triathlon coach with Glasgow Triathlon Club. I have been leading trail runs for many years.

Qualifications:

  • Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF)
  • Jog Scotland Leader
  • Level 3 Personal Trainer
  • Level 2 Fitness Instructor
  • Level 2 Triathlon Coach
  • Level 2 Tennis Coach
  • Emergency First Aid at Work
  • Child wellbeing and protection