Author, radio presenter and ultra-marathon runner, Vassos Alexander has been named as an ambassador for the Personal Best Foundation. He joins stars that include World Champion Fatima Whitbread, along with Olympians Tom Bosworth, Donna Fraser and Marilyn Okoro to create a team devoted to improving the lives of youngsters through sport.
Vassos is no stranger to the charity having proudly accepted the role of Compere for the Foundation’s Official Launch and Inaugural Fundraising Dinner held at the exquisite Drapers Hall, London almost sixteen months ago.
The Foundation’s goals are to open the door to opportunities through the power of athletics and put a world of possibilities at the feet of the most disadvantaged children and young people in England, something Vassos holds close to his heart.
“I’m so excited that the sport I love is doing even more, to engage young and disadvantaged people and help them become their own ‘personal best’”, he said at the launch. “I feel privileged to be involved.”
And today, he has now joined the team to help raise awareness and advocate for the vital work being achieved.
Talking about his new ambassador role, Vassos said:
“I’m genuinely thrilled to be involved. My passion for the sport is no secret and I’ve always been a huge advocate of the positive impact that it can have on your physical and mental health. I’m excited to have the opportunity to help change the lives of even more children and young people through the power of athletics and it feels particularly special to join this wonderful new charity as an ambassador having been part of the launch event just over a year ago.”
Vassos is part of Chris Evans’ radio show on Virgin which reaches millions every weekday morning and during his career he has covered seven Olympic Games but more importantly learned first-hand the power running has when it comes to improving your own personal health and well-being.
“I am thrilled when anyone says they’ve taken up running because of something I or Chris (Evans) has said on the show,” Vassos said.
Always modest about his own achievements, Vassos has run countless ultras including the 153-mile Spartathlon in Greece and the South Downs Way 100 closer to home. “I’m not a particularly good runner and I’m not particularly bad,” he laughs. “I can break three hours for the marathon but that’s nothing special.
“But I don’t really care about my times. It’s more about spreading the love.”
Which is exactly why he has written three best-selling books, using exactly that concept: ‘if I can, you can too’, Don’t Stop Me Now, Running Up That Hill and How to Run a Marathon.
The Personal Best Foundation now has an impressive ambassadorial team that consists of Vassos Alexander, Fatima Whitbread, the former world record holder for the javelin and 1991 World Champion, 2012 Olympic discus thrower, Abdul Buhari, Donna Fraser who was fourth in the Olympic 400 in 2000, 2022 Commonwealth 100m champion in the T47 category, Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker, Marilyn Okoro, bronze in the 2008 Olympic 4x400 and finally Tom Bosworth, a British and World Record holder in the walks. All of whom, can make a real difference using their inspirational accounts of how athletics has made a significant contribution to their young lives.
Foundation Manager Amy Weaver-Tyler said. “It’s very exciting to have Vassos join the team; we’ve built some great foundations and are looking ahead with excitement as we start to accelerate our activity. As both an athlete and as a father we know that Vassos will bring his passion and energy in supporting us to change more young lives through the power of athletics.