Episode 54: From paralysis to running 5,000km with Esmée Gummer
This week we’re joined by Esmée Gummer, endurance athlete, fitness coach, and the force behind one of the most ambitious running challenges in the UK right now.
After being told she’d never walk again following a life-changing accident, Esmée has rebuilt her life through movement. Now, she’s taking things to an entirely new level with the Nation’s 5k - a 99-day challenge which includes hosting a 5k in every city in the UK (plus one in Dublin) and also running in between all the locations.
Starting in Inverness, the UK’s northernmost city, she’ll run south, across, and around the nation before finishing in London, clocking up 5,000km.
But this challenge isn’t about distance, it’s about impact and getting 1 million people moving, whether running, jogging, walking or wheeling.
Expect to hear:
The story behind the Nation’s 5K and how it all came together
What 5,000km really looks and feels like, both physically and mentally
Her journey from paralysis to taking on ultra-endurance challenges
The power of community through The Say Yes Club
Why accessibility in running matters more than ever
What it means to be a woman taking on extreme endurance in the spotlight
Esmée is full of gratitude and passion, and this episode is going to inspire you no end.
Follow Esmée Gummer on Instagram and YouTube
The Nation's 5k challenge runs from 27 June to 3 October 2026 and to join any of the free 5K events, sign up via realbuzz You can also support Esmée's fundraising efforts via her GoFundMe page.
More about the visuals? Watch the episode on YouTube (or scroll down)
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Follow your host Emma Cole on Instagram and check out her website.
Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes.
