Tom Mortimer breaks the news that once more his achilles has let him down. For two years now the Stroud AC athlete has battled against inflammation. Ten days out from the World Road Running Championships, it has afflicted him again. It’s been a testing couple of years for Mortimer. The…
Athlete Interviews
“Win or lose, it’s good for me to find out” – Sifan Hassan on her Chicago experiment
“Sometimes I hate myself.” Sifan Hassan jokes as she dials in from her home of six weeks, Park City, Utah. The double Olympic champion is in the midst of one her most daring experiments to date. Hassan’s August consisted of a triple World Championship bid. Six races, nine days. Bronze…
Athlete Interviews
Rose Harvey and the power of perspective
On October 8 Rose Harvey heads to Chicago. Her simple aim? To run a time that qualifies her for the Olympic Games. 2:26:50 or better. A daunting task but all a matter of perspective. Four years ago the 2022 British champion was a full-time corporate lawyer, living a different kind…
Athlete Interviews
“One last go” sees Sarah McDonald back in GB vest
The days were nearing towards Christmas 2022 and Sarah McDonald received a now familiar present. Again her body had failed her. Her hip for all signs pointed to another stress fracture. The latest in a string of injuries that had stalked her for over three years. McDonald tries to remember…
Athlete Interviews
12 years in the making, Abbie Donnelly targets marathon momentum
Year on year improvement should come as no surprise to anyone who’s followed the progress of Abbie Donnelly. It’s a plan 12 years in the making.
Athlete Interviews
Adjustment over, Marc Scott seeks Olympic marathon spot
At a gym by the M23, world indoor medalist Marc Scott finishes up an elliptical session. He is surrounded by fitness fans who notice nothing but a lean man who enjoys his cardio. A typical day in a 2023 season that stands in stark contrast to the five that came…
Athlete Interviews
From 800m men to marathon stars, Patrick Sang on building a world-class group
The winner of three global medals as a steeplechaser, it is an indication of the success of Patrick Sang as a coach that it is for this that he has gained wider recognition. The 1992 Olympic silver medallist has, for the last 25 years, slowly and incrementally built up a…
Athlete Interviews
Victor Chumo – Out of the limelight and into the fire
As Eliud Kipchoge broke the two hour barrier, striding down the Hauptallee and pointing to the assembled crowd, one man knew he had played his part. Victor Chumo has spent his career racing throughout Europe. More race wins in Italy than most Italians, he has dominated in France too. You’ve…
Athlete Interviews
Geoffrey Kamworor – a journey no book could teach
Books and pens not fortunes first brought Geoffrey Kamworor to the sport of athletics. A keen reader and elegant speaker, at high school the two were offered as prizes, ones which Kamworor would pick up with ease: “I could defeat everyone but it was just for fun. I could run…
Athlete Interviews
Faith Kipyegon – a journey of joy
There’s a notion in athletics that the best have some mental fortitude that mere mortals lack.
They get out the door when others can’t, they grind when others give up.
