Wrexham’s Humphrey Ker Braces for Manchester Marathon Challenge

LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2025 — Humphrey Ker, an integral figure behind Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s acquisition of Wrexham, is preparing to run the Manchester Marathon next month. His participation, a commitment to raise funds for the Wrexham Miners’ Rescue Project, showcases the club’s community spirit and charity focus.

Ker, a comedy writer and actor, humorously described his marathon training experience, saying, “It has been exactly as much fun as I expected — which is not fun at all!” Adding to the comedy, Ker mentioned possibly experiencing a ‘runner’s high’ around mile 12, though he remains skeptical. His journey into marathon running began as a joke during a fundraising launch to collect £250,000 ($322,000) for the historic Miners Rescue Station’s transformation into a community hub.

After quipping, “I’m hoping we will get there without me having to run a marathon,” during discussions about the appeal, Reynolds and McElhenney took it upon themselves to enter him in the April 27 marathon, pledging an initial donation of £26,200 each to kickstart the fundraising.

The impending marathon has left Ker feeling nervous yet determined. “About the only positive thing is I can now run for an hour without stopping,” he told reporters on a morning call from Los Angeles. Initially struggling to run more than a minute at a time, he now credits his gradual training for the increased endurance.

Recognizing the overwhelming support from the Wrexham club, Ker’s efforts will be featured in the upcoming fourth season of the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary series. He noted his commitment to running in the New York Half Marathon just weeks prior to his appearance in Manchester, adding pressure to maintain his training schedule.

Reflecting on his time away from Wrexham over the current season, Ker emphasized the joy of balancing his career in Los Angeles with his responsibilities at the club. Since transitioning from executive to community director to alleviate personal workload, he’s expressed appreciation for a healthier life-work balance.

“This season, though, has been great and allowed me to get back into my other life,” said Ker, who looks forward to returning to Wrexham as the season end approaches. “I do miss being in Wrexham and I do miss being at the heart of it all,” he added, suggesting a longing for the community he once frequented.

As Wrexham pushes for continuous improvement on the pitch, Ker reiterated the club’s ambitions alongside the commitment of management staff including head coach Phil Parkinson, who emphasizes winning over mere stability: “If Rob has a philosophy that can be condensed into one sentence then it would be, ‘Why not us?’”

Despite the pressure of his training, Ker remains optimistic about his performance in the marathon. “There’s no target other than to finish. Anything that involves me propelling myself over the finishing line on my own two feet is a victory for avocado-bodied men everywhere,” he joked.