James took up Triathlon aged 16 having been swimming at national level up until that point. Burnt out from swimming he was ready to give up competitive sport until he joined Leicester Junior Triathlon Club. The coaches there were excellent and had set up an incredibly fun but competitive atmosphere. Those coaches are the reason that James does triathlon today.

James took to triathlon quickly, winning bronze at the World Junior aquathlon championships and represented GB at the Junior World Championships in 2014. In 2014 James also moved to Loughborough for university and to train with the squad there.

Whilst at Loughborough James worked his way through the ranks, representing GB at elite U23 and Senior European and world championships. Notable highlights include gold in the U23 European mixed Relay championships, and European cup podium in Alayna alongside many top 10s.

In 2020 James was training for a season of World cup racing with an eye at world series but had to change plans when the pandemic hit. Instead he spent the backend of 2020 preparing for middle distance racing.

Come 2021 James was fully committed to middle distance racing. And once he learnt how to race he took victories at Challenge Gdansk, Challenge Gdynia and PTO supported Outlaw Holkham. However all this racing in quick succession, ended up costing him when he severely strained his back. This frustrating injury really hampered his training and racing from September 2021 until mid 2022.

Towards the end of 2021 James moved from Loughborough for Cambridge to be closer to his partner’s work and started running with the BLT which is possibly the UKs fastest running squad.

After a frustrating 9 months James was finally over his back problems by summer 2022. Taking 3rd at Gerardmer XL and 14th at the World 70.3 championships.

2023 saw James racing in the Spanish League for Alusigma penota Triathlon. James spent the first part of the season racing for them in the Spanish Triathlon League racing everything from super sprint to middle distance. In summer 2023 James also took victory at IM 70.3 Staffordshire and 2nd at Challenge London.