Jimmy Watkins (runner)

{{Short description|Welsh runner (born 1982)}}

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Jimmy Watkins (born 30 October 1982) is a Welsh 800 metres runner.{{cite web |url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/-/14191161 |title=James WATKINS |website=World Athletics}}{{cite podcast |date=2024-06-10 |title=Episode 38: Interview with running punk Jimmy Watkins |url=https://thewayoftherunner.com/podcast-episodes/interview-running-punk-jimmy-watkins |website=The Way of the Runner |host=Adharanand Finn}}

In 2006, Watkins won the AAA Indoor Championships 800 metres in Sheffield and qualified for the IAAF World Indoor Championships, where he came 6th.

Two years later, he gave up running and decided to pursue a career in music. He joined the rock band Future of the Left and later The Vega Bodegas.{{cite web |title=Jimmy Watkins: running, rock 'n roll and The Ritz |url=https://worldathletics.org/personal-best/performance/jimmy-watkins-runner-britain-800m |website=World Athletics |first=Jon |last=Mulkeen |date=2020-01-14}}{{cite web |last=Wales |first=The Rock ‘n’ Roll Runner |date=2020-12-02 |title=The Rock 'n' Roll Runner |url=https://www.sport.wales/media-centre/latest-news/2020-02-12-jimmy-watkins-rock-n-roll-runner/ |website=Sport Wales}}

In 2019, Watkins returned to running, now combined with his love of music. He founded the club Running Punks.{{cite web |title=How it began |url=https://www.runningpunks.com/what-we-do |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Running Punks}} He has also become a social media sensation for his videos reviewing albums and singles as he runs.{{cite news |date=2020-08-04 |title=Twitter: Athlete Jimmy Watkins' running music reviews a hit |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-53553769 |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=BBC News}}