When did you start running?
I started running back in 2008 in memory of my younger sister in law’s, brother, who sadly passed as a result of diabetes at the tender age of 20. My plan was to run the Norwich Half Marathon in memory of him. With the help of old friend Neil Hendrey at the time, I trained for several months and achieved a time of 2:02:34. I went off too quickly too early and had nothing left in the tank to get under 2 hours. Coincidentally, I ran that race in my first pair of running shoes from Sportlink – they were Saucony ProGrid Triumph 4’s.
What’s your favourite event and why?
I think my favourite distance remains the marathon. For me, it epitomises what racing is all about. Months of gruelling training and it all hangs in the balance dependant on how you perform on the day. You can stand on that start line with the best preparation but for one reason or another, may not be able to see that plan through to fruition. A real beast that takes and takes. My last marathon was London 2023 for which I had a challenging time returning from injury. Statistically, I wasn’t on for a sub-4 but determination saw me creep in with a 3:50:17 finish. As Mo retired, the first words I said to my wife, Victoria, as we found each other after the race were: “If it’s good enough for Mo, it’s good enough for me to retire to!” To which her reply was “Yeah right! Give it a couple of days!” As always, she was right – although I think it was actually on the car journey home from London, ha!
What was your proudest run?
Not for any other reason than maybe one day, my children might like to look at them, but I’ve kept all my medals in old shoe boxes. All except for one. I ran Brighton Marathon 2019 for a special young lady. Young Margot. Margot at such a very tender age was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis so I ran raising funds for the CF Trust. Victoria and I met with Margot and her Mum post event. I talked of how in the latter miles of the marathon as things got tough, my thoughts turned to Margot and the difficulties she will endure, swiftly diminishing my thoughts of pain. It was my honour to gift my finisher’s medal to little Margot as it was most fitting that she had earned it with me.
You’ve got a 10K training run to fit in, in Norfolk, where are you heading?
That for me is an easy one! The course used by Aylsham Runners for the Aylsham 10k. It’s so close to home, it’s quiet roads and a slightly undulating course which you can really wind it up and press on with. Plus, we have some great scenery out our way.
Who is your biggest running inspiration?
My biggest running inspiration is actually my good friend Colin Weller. He has established himself firmly amongst some major Ultra distance events such as the Summer Spine, Darkside Ultra’s and The Arc of Attrition. We’d love to see him gain entry to the Winter Spine. His sheer determination to press on through adversity is beyond my reach! An incredible and grossly underrated distance runner but more than that, a great friend!
What are your favourite running trainers?
Current favourite running trainers are the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4’s. They have been my got to for racing and speed work over this season offering great comfort and even better responsiveness.
What’s your favourite piece of running kit (not including your trainers)?
A good pair of twin shorts with the inner pocket for carrying my mobile phone whilst on runs. For me, it is a vital safety tool should an incident occur.
You’re running a marathon next week… you can choose one person to run it with you… who are you choosing and why?
Well, that would have to be my training buddy, Kirby Savage. We are working well with pacing one another through our current training regime. Failing that, there are so many people I’d love to run with. But I would have to say, the ultimate would be for Victoria and I to run a marathon together. I’d love that!
Tell us something we didn’t know about you as a runner…
I’m generally a pretty open person sharing the vast majority of my running adventures on social media with a big smile on my face but, I do get really nervous before a race. I can’t help it still to this day. I look upon it as a good thing, a way of focusing in on what I want to achieve, but it’s odd that it still hasn’t subsided after all these years.
What excites you the most about the 2025 Sportlink Grand Prix and 10K Series?
I love the fact that the Sportlink GP and 10k series presents opportunities for runners to really focus on their individual goals for each year. It sets reachable targets with such a varied field of runners, an opportunity to rub shoulders with some mega quick runners as well as an opportunity to encourage everyone else along their journey. I guess that’s the beauty of our sport as a whole that these series cumulate for us. A sense of togetherness and determination from an incredible variety of people that form our community.