Blog. Wayne Fernsby's Marathon Mission.

Here at Hospitality Action we’re always in awe of our amazing supporters, from swimming the Channel to rowing the Atlantic Ocean, we’re bowled over by the heroic acts of those who want to support the wider hospitality community.

One such dedicated supporter is Wayne Fernby, Director of Operations at The Gainsborough Bath Spa who, to celebrate five years of sobriety in 2025, will undertake five mammoth races in honour of his past five transformative years.

We spoke to Wayne ahead of his first race, the Bath Half Marathon on March 16, to learn a little more about his epic challenge and the inspiration behind it.

Tell us about yourself and your time in hospitality.

My hospitality career has spanned over 20 years. I started at the very beginning, working as a General Assistant at a coaching hotel with no prior experience. I then took every opportunity offered to me and worked my way up to Head Housekeeper at a five-star hotel.

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working for some amazing brands, including Malmaison, Hotel du Vin, Soho House at Babington, and city-centre properties in Bath. I've also had the privilege of working with Kaleidoscope Hotels, helping develop No.15, and I was the opening General Manager for The Bird.

Currently, I’m the Director of Operations at the Gainsborough Bath, the UK’s only thermal water five-star hotel. It’s a very rewarding role that keeps me busy. I’ve always enjoyed every aspect of hospitality, especially seeing the smiles on guests’ faces when they’ve had a great stay. It sounds a bit cliché, but it really is one of the best feelings you can have in this industry.

What are some of the challenges you anticipate facing during these races, both physically and mentally?

Looking ahead to the races, if I’m being honest, the ultra-marathon distance is the one that’s keeping me up at night. However, I believe the lead-up - running the half marathons and then the full marathon - will build my stamina and mental resilience.

Running isn’t easy, but once you find your stride, you realise you’re capable. The challenge is really the mental game, especially when every ounce of energy feels drained, and you think you can’t go any further. A friend once told me to look for the next corner, the next building, and aim for that. Keep doing that, and eventually, you’ll get to the end. It’s a lot of mind over matter, but when you finish, the sense of achievement is overwhelming. That’s what I look for - the feeling of accomplishment at the end.

What message do you hope to send to the hospitality industry through your fundraising efforts?

Through my fundraising, I hope to show that it’s possible to make a change and pursue a healthy lifestyle within the hospitality industry. Hospitality is often seen as a stepping stone to bigger careers, and people sometimes associate it with a party lifestyle, with drinking being a big part of the culture.

I want to demonstrate that you can have a fulfilling career in hospitality and live a healthy life. Running fits around my work schedule - I can run before or after work, without being tied to gym hours or specific schedules. It’s also great for mental clarity. When you run, you’re not thinking about work or life; you’re just in the moment. If I can inspire even one person to seek help or to take up running, that’s worth it to me.