Lightfoot began competing in fell races at the age of fourteen after being inspired by his school caretaker Brian Taylor[2] and was encouraged by his parents Robert and Kathleen.

[13] He has also competed domestically on other surfaces, winning the Brampton to Carlisle and Derwentwater 10 road races and the Cumbria Cross Country Championships.

[14] Internationally, Lightfoot won the Zegama-Aizkorri race in 2009[15] and finished third in that season’s Skyrunner World Series.

[16] He was also third in the World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge that year when the event was incorporated into the Kaisermarathon in Söll.

[5] Lightfoot works as a firefighter, based at Workington Fire Station[24] and is managed by Iconic Agency.