Chat With A Ninja - Chris Thomas

From Ironman Finisher to Ultra Charity Warrior: Chris's Epic Journey

In true Ninja spirit, Chris Thomas has turned personal challenges into powerful charity runs, raising thousands for headspace while inspiring our swim-loving community. From backyard ultras to 400km months, here's his quick chat on motivation, milestones, and more.

1. How did you first get involved with SSG Multisports, and what keeps you coming back to our swim-focused community?

Short Answer: The people. Long Answer, I was previously with Redcliffe Tri club and was hoping to meet some like-minded people after moving over from Wales back in 2017, but unfortunately most of the training was outside of Redcliffe and I’d failed to make any connections. I’d done a couple of brick sessions in 2018 at Suttons and met Greg who mentioned there were a handful that had started swimming a couple of mornings a week at Suttons and that I was more than welcome to join them. I started off going to Paul’s swim sessions at Redcliffe pool before I plucked up the courage to start my ocean swimming. I’m still not a particularly good swimmer but enjoy the social side, an occasional dip followed by a coffee and chat.

2. What inspired your charity running challenges, like the 300km in 2024 and 400km in November 2025 for headspace?

I’ve typically given myself a challenge each November to help raise money for Mens Health charities, but this time I focussed on Headspace which is a youth mental health charity. I’ve lost a close childhood friend in 2006 and a work colleague to suicide in 2022 and came very close with my daughter at the end of 2024 which has left her with long term brain injury and a long road to recovery. Like a lot of people, you feel you need to do something to help prevent these things from happening and this was the most appropriate thing I could think of.

3. Can you walk us through your 400km month—how did you structure it, and what were the biggest hurdles?

I love the question on how I structured it, as though I put thought into it 🤣. I prefer to wing it and struggle through. I had originally planned on 300km but suspected with a couple of big runs that would not be challenging enough. The biggest hurdle was fitting the running around our current home life but Bec was very supportive as always and I took opportunities to do spontaneous runs where the family were pre-occupied with other things.

4. The 95km+ non-stop Moreton Island run sounds epic—what motivated that adventure, and how did tides/soft sand factor in?

I had originally planned to do the Moreton Island run with Paul and Andrew back in 2019 but the family had booked flights to Wales on the date of the run. So, for every time I’ve sat and looked out to Moreton Island I’d said to myself I need to run that at some point. I only came up with the idea to include it at the start of the challenge. I very much underestimated the difficulty of the run and the first 2/3 took longer than I expected, plus I started late due to poor logistical planning (believe it or not I used to be a maintenance planner and can be very organised when I need to be). This delay resulted in me getting to a critical point (Main Creek) too late and I became cut off by the tide so had to work out a Plan B which meant doubling back and taking a horrible 4x4 track for about 12k. I seriously thought I may need to flag down a lift or call for a lift as I was struggling, but the thought of a cold can of coke at the Bulwer town store was enough to keep me going and get it done. My advice to anyone else thinking about it would be to ask Paul Skelton for advice and not myself 🤣.

5. You focus these challenges and fundraising around mental health. Why do you choose these challenges for fundraising?

I think I use these challenges as a therapy myself and I try to convey to others that doing exercise is beneficial both physically and mentally. I know that not everyone wants to run silly challenges but just getting out and doing something can help your mind, whether it’s a regular swim, getting on the bike or a run, and doing it with other people is even better. I’m very fortunate that I have met the people I have through this club and I’ve learned that just talking about your problems lightens the load so much.

6. How much have you raised for headspace so far, and why is youth mental health a cause close to your heart?

I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the generous support I’ve received and can’t believe how kind everyone has been donating over $5500. This genuinely will help kids through what is a very difficult time to grow up in, and the charity provides a lot of resources and support to both youth and parents.

7. As an ultra-runner and Ironman veteran, what's your proudest SSG moment or club-supported achievement?

I’d probably say one of the Australia Day swims where I swam my longest – 5km. The only time I’ve done Scott’s point and back. I’m still a nervous swimmer and have had several little panic attacks whilst swimming but that was a satisfying accomplishment. I know you asked for 1 but I’ll give another 😉. The other was completing a very rough swim at Ironman Wales in the fastest swim I’ve ever done (must have been strong currents or I unintentionally only did 1 lap).

8. Any fun facts about you outside running (e.g., family, work, or hobbies)?

Bec suggested that after having our 3 girls I should switch from the dangerous sports of kickboxing and rugby to help avoid collecting any further titanium plates. So I made the switch to Triathlon in 2015 then hit a crash barrier coming down a mountain road in Wales at about 50km/h and broke 11 bones and a collapsed lung. Maybe should have stuck to the other sports. I can also ride a unicycle.

9. Advice for SSG members eyeing big challenges like ultras or charity events?

“You don’t have to be great to start but you do have to start to be great!” Thomas 2025 😉 Everyone is in their own race, with their own challenges and it doesn’t need to be a run around an island or even a marathon but something that you need to work for where there’s a chance you may fail but the belief you won’t. I think that really helps to grow mental resilience.

10. What's next for you in 2026—more runs, swims, or multisport goals with the club?

I’d love to record a sub 20 minute 5k and hope to get a pb in the marathon next year. I may even join in at Moreton Bay triathlon just to make up the numbers.