The early part of Wild’s running career was focused on cross country and track. He won the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships in 1974 and 1980. He represented England in the 3,000 metres steeplechase event, at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Also in 1978, he won the Cross de San Sebastián and in 1980, he was victorious at the Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza. Wild represented his country at the World Cross Country Championships, finishing in fifteenth place in the 1978 edition.