Below is a short memoir depicting some of the important moments in Coach Wilson’s running journey. This journey is what ultimately led to the creation of Mako Running. I hope you enjoy this personal look into me and I look forward to interacting with you soon.
Getting to know Coach Wilson
Wilson, Head Coach and Founder of Mako Running, has been a runner for over a decade. However, running wasn’t his first love - that would be football (or soccer for my American friends).
Pictured: Wilson on a school trip at the famous Old Trafford, holding England’s greatest player’s, Wayne Rooney’s, shirt.
After winning the 1500m and 800m at a school sports day, Callum joined his local athletics club, Doncaster A.C. He was quickly connected with Coach and longtime friend Barry Barnes. During those early years, Callums’ enthusiasm grew quickly and before he knew it, he had caught the “running bug.” Rain, snow, or shine every Tuesday and Thursday evening, he would be at the local track working out with his friends and learning what it meant to push his limits.
Pictured: from Left to Right: Bertie, Andy, Wilson and Deano after successfully winning a local road relay
Towards the end of secondary school, Wilson started to take running more seriously and decided this would be his sole focus. This came at a great time as he moved to London to begin his university studies. He became a member of the Endurance Performance Squad at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. This allowed him to be coached by an Olympain (Craig Winrow) and train alongside multiple active Olympians, World Championship qualifiers, and International athletes. This was an eye-opening experience and one that took some time to adjust. Living and training alongside such a high caliber of athletes made him even more motivated to keep pushing to find his own limits.
Floating along in the famous Bushy Park. Pictured from Left to Right: Canaan, Tom, Wilson, Zak, Ben, Jonny and Will
As Wilson’s time at St. Mary’s University drew to a close, he found himself in a local coffee shop with his good friend and mentor, Kevin Quinn. Kev asked Callum the question everyone was asking him at that time: “What’s next?” Wilson had always had the dream of running in the NCAA, which meant moving across the Atlantic to live and study in America. Kev was able to pull a few strings and before he knew it, Wilson was boarding a plane to the Big Apple. After a couple days exploring the second greatest city on earth (London of course is first!), he boarded another plane down to the small town of Radford in Southwest Virginia.
View overlooking central park during my first stay in NYC.
Lining up at the Virginia Tech Invite alongside teammates Joe, Bus, Benji, Zach and Peyton
Going from the small town of Doncaster to the bright lights of London was a big shock, but the one from London to Radford was even bigger. Wilson was struggling to adjust to this new way of life and the training regime set in front of him. This showed in his first semester. He wasn’t able to train or perform at the desired level and the harder he worked, the more his body let him down. This was the theme for his two years in Radford. Much like his undergraduate experience, he suffered injury after injury. You learn a lot about yourself during those dark days in the hours spent staring at a blank wall as you drip in sweat from your bike workout. During those races spent on the sidelines cheering on your teammates with a smile on your face, but on the inside you know you’d give the world to be out there toeing the line.
With friends Bus, Benji and Joe atop of Flagstaff Mountain in Colorado - a precursor for what was to come.
After the Coronavirus cut his NCAA experience short, Wilson packed up his 1992 Honda Accord (thanks, Blake!) and headed west to Colorado Springs. At the base of Pikes Peak, the highest mountain in America, it is located at 6,000ft of elevation! This is perfect for altitude training and adopting the concept of making your everyday life a training camp. During his time out there, Wilson continued to train hard and enjoy the sport alongside his teammates lifelong friends of Elmwood Athletics Team. I won’t be forgetting the long runs in minus 20 degrees C anytime soon!
With Zev, Willie & Jeff - members of Elmwood Athletics Team at the Long Beach Invitational in California
With Doncaster AC teammates after a 9th place finish at the Northern Cross Country Relays. Pictured: George R, Henry, George P and Coach Wilson
Now back in the UK, Wilson has reconnected with his childhood coach and team and is looking forward to continuing to chase after his goals. Will he be successful? Who knows - you’ll have to stick around to find out! But what he does know is that running has brought so much to his life and now it is time to give it pay it forward to the next generation of athletes, YOU!
We hope you enjoyed this look at Coach Wilson’s running journey so far and you got a better understanding of the man he is. Head over to the Coaching Philosophy page to learn more!
Best Wishes,
