Simon Wheatcroft is an extraordinary adventurer, athlete and technology pioneer who has refused to let blindness limit his ambitions. Known for completing marathons and ultramarathons around the world, he has worked with some of the biggest global brands to make sport more accessible. As a speaker, Simon motivates audiences to confront challenges head-on, step outside their comfort zones and discover what they are truly capable of achieving.
Simon lost his sight at the age of 17, an experience that profoundly shaped his resilience and determination. Shortly afterwards, he travelled to California to propose to his now-wife on top of a mountain. Unable to complete the climb due to the dangers of blindness, he returned home with a vow never again to let his condition hold him back. That promise inspired him to begin running, starting on an abandoned football pitch before gradually building the confidence to take on closed roads and eventually the open road.
His journey into long-distance running quickly became remarkable. After only months of training, Simon ran 83 miles of a 100-mile race in the Cotswolds. In 2014, he entered the New York Marathon, ambitiously starting the event with a 250-mile run from Boston before completing 16 miles of the marathon unaided. Two years later, he worked with IBM to develop new navigation technology for blind runners, which he personally tested while attempting the gruelling Four Deserts Marathon, completing 90 miles of the 155-mile race before injury forced him to stop. He later teamed up with Wayband to become the first blind person to run the New York Marathon without guides, an achievement that inspired the short documentary by ASICS.
As a motivational speaker, Simon combines his personal story with universal lessons in perseverance, innovation and courage. He has inspired teams at organisations such as Twitter, Facebook, Google and Red Bull, challenging people to rethink their limitations and embrace resilience. His experiences highlight not only the power of human determination but also the role of technology in unlocking potential, making him a compelling and transformative presence for any audience.
