Chilterns trail running, day & night! 

Liz Nicholls

Play in The Wild running lead & local dad of two Johnno Houston showcases some of the best trails in the Chilterns & specialises in running in night 

We’ve just come to the end of a long, bleak winter, but it certainly was not hibernation season for Johnno Houston. 

The local dad and maths teacher is no fairweather fitness fan. In fact, he can often be found lighting the way through the darkness … literally! Yes, he often dons a head torch to illuminate the path ahead on one of his many night runs throughout the Chilterns. 

“I started running in 2008 with the focus of building up to longer distances on roads and then on to the trails,” says Johnno.  

“My love for trail running has grown through various race distances of between 5km and 100km. This has motivated me to help others into the sport through guiding and sharing the trails with my family, AKA Team Houston. You can find me and my eldest daughter sharing the Chilterns trails together – yes, my two adventurous daughters, aged seven and three keep me very busy. 

“I enjoy hilly trails and my passion is night running, but I really do love getting others out for social runs at Play in the Wild and my running club. The Chilterns has an array of trails and beautiful landscape.” 

Play in the Wild showcases the best trails in the Chilterns through planned and bespoke guided runs. Johnno offers a variation of routes and distances. He offers head torch runs all year-round so you can gain confidence in the dark and support your upcoming events. This allows you to explore with ease, learn key skills and become part of a trail running community. 

Johnno, who lives in High Wycombe and is a member of Handy Cross Running Club, is looking forward to Lakeland 50 Race in the Lake District this summer – “50 miles of adventures! But I also think Bucks is beautiful. There are so many beautiful areas to run here, right from my door and so many less than 30 minutes’ drive away. 

“There are also so many great local businesses around… I’m always wearing Ugoku Hats, which are designed and produced by friend. This is an independent, trail headwear company based here in the Chiltern Hills. And I really enjoy a run and post-run refreshments from Chiltern Velo in Chesham. 

“I also love the Squirrel Pub in Booker as well as The Grouse and Ale and Coco Masala, which are both in Lane End.”