Son of neurologist Michael Lucien Ernest Espir (1926–2015) and Patricia (née Smouha),[1][2] Espir was born into a secular Jewish family with athletic background; his maternal grandfather Edward Smouha won the bronze medal as a member of the Great Britain team in the 4 x 100 metre relay at the 1928 Summer Olympics.

His talent attracted the attention of Harry Wilson, coach to the world's greatest miler at that time, Steve Ovett.

Under Wilson's guidance, Espir embarked on a rigorous training schedule with Ovett and other world-class athletes, and competitive success soon followed.

At the age of 18, Espir was the UK Junior 3000 metres champion both indoors and outdoors, and had already represented his country at senior international level.

Espir completed the 2004 London Marathon at the age of 45 in a time of 2 hours 47 minutes and 3 seconds, despite stumbling in slippery conditions around five miles from the finish and stress-fracturing his hip and four vertebrae of his back.