Michael Collins - Author & Runner

Michael Collins was born in Limerick, Ireland in 1964. He is a novelist, screenwriter and elite runner.

 

He is the author of ten works of fiction which have been translated into twenty languages. He is the recipient of numerous New York Times Notable Book of the Year Awards. His novel The Keepers of Truth was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

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Collins was a writer on the film Julia, starring Oscar-winning actress, Tilda Swinton which garnered numerous international film awards.

 

Collins is a world class distance-runner. He earned a bronze medal at the 2010 World 100k Championships in Gibraltar. Notable wins include The Everest Marathon, The North Pole Marathon, The Antarctic Marathon and The Sahara Marathon.

 

Collins recently stepped down from ultras to focus on shorter distances. He won the USATF 2019 Masters 15K Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the USATF Masters Track & Field Championships 2021, he won the 5,000 & 10,000 meter titles. After a prolonged layoff due to a torn hamstring, still not healed, Collins defended his 10,000 meter title at the USATF Track & Field Champions 2022, held at The University of Kentucky.

 

Collins earned an athletic scholarship to The University of Notre Dame. He furthered his education at Oxford University and holds a doctorate degree in English.