ABOUT

Bio
"A lot of us have a perception of what our limits are - running gives me the opportunity to throw those all out the window."
Matthew Healy is a South African Professional Ultra Distance Trail Runner. Born and bred in Cape Town, amongst the most beautiful mountainous landscapes in the world, it is quite surprising that Healy only took up trail running in recent years. He has had something of a meteoric rise in the grueling sport. Over the past three and a half years, the 26-year-old, ex-Sharks Academy rugby player has crafted a leaner, meaner version of himself. In a discipline that traditionally requires years of conditioning, he has managed to taste real success in a relatively short amount of time. Healy first popped up on the elite trail running scene at the beginning of 2019, as the youngest name on the ultra elite start lists, and has gone on to land himself on the podium at almost every race he has entered since.
Prior to running, Matt played rugby at the Sharks in KwaZulu-Natal. Since then he has been working tirelessly to condition his body in order to handle the physical stresses that come with ultra running. As a result he has lost 20kgs, a reflection of the work ethic and determination this youngster possesses. He prides himself on his ability to be extremely focused and disciplined, and believes consistency is the key to great results.
During this short time his top results include winning the Addo Elephant Trail Run 100 miler, whilst breaking the South African course record, and he currently holds the second fastest time (behind its creator Ryan Sandes) on the 13 Peaks FKT Challenge. Healy currently races anything from 50kms to 100 miles (+160kms).
Trail running isn’t just something he does, it is his passion; a passion fuelled by the nature of the sport that tests the limits of the body, the mind and the spirit.
Achievements
13 Peaks Challenge FKT
- 2nd Overall
(2nd fastest time behind its creator Ryan Sandes )
(Matt now holds the Second & Third fastest times overall)
Cape Town 2021
Addo Elephant Trail Run 100 Miler (162kms)
AFRICAS WILDEST ULTRA
- 1st Overall
(South African Course Record)
(Valley of Tears Overall Record)
Addo Elephant National Park - 2021
Addo Elephant Trail Run 76km
- 1st Overall
(Highest ever recorded heat @ +50'C)
Port Elizabeth - 2020
Support a Saffa Charity Run (114km Lockdown Garden Ultra)
- #RunSaffaRun raised R33,000
Cape Town - 2020
Mac Mac Ultra 50miler/80km
- 1st Overall
(New Course Record)
Mpumalanga - 2019
Bastille Day Trail Run 50km
- 1st Overall
Franschhoek - 2019
Chokka Run 62km
- 2nd Overall
(Faster than previous course record)
Cape St. Francis - 2019
Maxi Race South Africa 68km
- 2nd Overall
Stellenbosch - 2019
Ultra Trail Cape Town (Ultra Trail World Tour Race) 100km
- 14th Overall
(4th in Africa)
Cape Town - 2019
Addo Elephant Trail Run 76km
- 4th Overall
(1st South African after Ryan Sandes)
Port Elizabeth - 2019