Ishmael Burdeau
Current or Previous Roles: Sustainability Business Architect, ultra marathon runner and neurodiversity advocate.
Keynote: Ishmael doesn't conform to the common idea of neurodivergence as a "superpower," but does acknowledge the strengths his autism has afforded him in both ultra-endurance sports and business. He emphasises how his neurodivergence has contributed to his perseverance, focus, and ability to overcome challenges.
Ishmael Burdeau’s Bio
Ishmael has been a dominant figure in some of the UK’s most gruelling ultra trail races, including the Spine, Lakeland 100, UTS 100M, West Highland Way Race, and Wild Horse 200, as well as competing on the local fell running scene in the Peak District. Although he doesn't embrace the idea of neurodivergence as a ‘superpower,’ Ishmael attributes much of his ability to train and compete consistently over three decades to his late autism diagnosis.
Before focusing on trail running, Ishmael was an elite road cyclist and ultra-endurance cyclist, with a career that began in the early 1980s. His cycling experiences took him across Europe to race at elite levels, including a stint at the US Olympic Training Centre. After burning out of cycling, he transitioned to marathon running, achieving strong performances in prestigious events like London, Rotterdam, Boston, and Jungfrau. His ultra-cycling career culminated in notable finishes in the Transcontinental Race, a 2,000-mile self-supported event across Europe.
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