the
happy
runner
vic izzy owens
ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Vic Izzy Owens, also known as The Happy Runner.
Based in beautiful North Wales, I’m a long-distance ultra runner with a passion for pushing limits, exploring wild trails, and discovering what’s possible when body and mind work together.
For me, running is more than just miles, it’s about resilience, adventure, and finding freedom in every step. Whether it’s racing through mountains, training on quiet paths, or chasing new horizons, I run to challenge myself, to grow stronger, and to connect with the world around me.
From battling depression to navigating challenges with my health, running has given me strength, purpose, and a reason to keep moving forward.
Over the years, I’ve become known for my positive energy on and off the course. Whether it’s encouraging a fellow runner at 3am, sharing my training journey on Instagram (@thehappyrunnernw), or crossing the finish line with a smile, I believe running is as much about community as it is about competition.
Here, you’ll find my race stories, training adventures, and reflections from life on the run. My goal is to inspire others to find joy in movement, embrace challenges, and keep going , one step, one lap, one mile at a time.
written in sweat and honesty
From a young age, the library was my second home. While other children checked out picture books, I sat on the floor immersed in adult mysteries, dramas, and life-heavy stories. I didn’t just love reading, I loved how words could hold truth, tension, and emotion, shaping the way I understood the world.
That curiosity blossomed into constant writing throughout my childhood and early teens. I corresponded with 33 pen pals around the world, organised community newsletters, and filled pages with children’s stories, piles of them, crafted simply for the joy of reading aloud to my younger siblings, watching their eyes widen and imaginations soar.
In adulthood, my writing evolved. Poems and spoken word became tools for processing and expressing emotions, especially during harder seasons of life. Spoken word, in particular, gave shape to feelings I couldn’t yet say out loud, a place to release, confront, and make sense of what I was carrying.
When I stepped into the world of ultra running, I began to see the parallels immediately. Endurance sport and writing both ask for commitment, resilience, and a willingness to sit with discomfort. In my blogs, I don’t just share the highs or the polished moments. I write about the raw, unfiltered reality - the emotional weight, the physical toll, and the moments people don’t always feel comfortable admitting to.
Running strips everything back. Writing tells the truth of what remains.
The connection between body and mind. Effort and emotion. Movement and meaning.
It’s raw. It’s honest. And no matter where you are in life, or in running, it’s something we all recognise.
* barefoot adventurer * ultra runner * obree athlete * animal rights advocate *
MY COACH
Stuart is a fantastic coach, and I have thrived as an athlete during the past two years I've spent working with him. Stuart has coached me to wins at Backyard Ultras, new course records,
as well as personal bests and I have even had
the honour of representing my nation at the
BYU Championships.
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MY brand
My best friend Gav and I set out with a simple mission: to create an inclusive brand that helps every runner shine their brightest. We wanted to bring mood-boosting colours into running gear,
so that no matter the distance, you feel confident, joyful, and unstoppable.
And so, We Run Bright was born, a celebration
of running, positivity, and the power of colour.
MY club
As an animal rights advocate, being part of
Vegan Runners is about more than just running,
it’s about aligning my passion for sport with my values, standing up for animals, leading by example, and showing that compassion and performance can go hand in hand.
