OS Champion

Finty Royle

Meet Finty Royle, a medical student and runner based in the North West who loves the challenge of planning new routes

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you like to get outside?

My name is Finty and I am a 22 year old medical student from the North West. Many people describe me as a super outdoorsy person but given my degree I spend most of my time indoors. I love a challenge though and find a lot of joy in planning random routes and excursions to fit around placement and studying.

Being outside to me brings a sense of belonging and peace. It equilibrates me in a way that watching TV or scrolling tiktok can’t do. It is a way for me to connect with other people and gain new experiences, while also staying healthy and active.

Running to me is like medicine. It really helps to ground me, making sure I don’t spiral into my anxiety. It is such a big part of my life experiences and the friends I’ve made. I am so thankful everyday that I can run and that it gives me so much joy.

What’s your favourite route or place to go and why?

Finty Royle’s Favourite Place – Jura

My favourite place is Jura. It is a remote Island just off the coast of Scotland, probably most famous for its whiskey. It only has one 30 mile long road. It is wild and rough, especially up the Paps (mountains). It is particularly special to me as I went on holiday there before my A level resits and spent each day sitting revising on the rocks by the sea all day. Nowadays, my main reason to go to Jura is for the annual fell race and the ceilidh afterwards!

Take a look at the Jura Fell Race Route

What’s your fave bit of kit available on the OS Shop?

I love the Ordnance Survey Cairngorms large micro towel. There is something very liberating about a refreshing, spontaneous dip mid run and the having a super lightweight towel to take with me allows me to ensure I can blend fitness with the outdoor activities that I like doing.