Even if you wanted to, it would be almost impossible to replicate the approach to running of Jimmy Ashworth. The world, for better or worse has irrevocably changed. Jimmy’s a familiar face for many endurance fans but for most of his early life had little intention to get involved in…
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English National Cross-Country Champs Preview 2022
The English National Cross-Country Championships returns to Parliament Hill for the first time since 2018. That day Adam Hickey prevailed for the men with Phoebe Law taking the women’s title. With the effects of Storm Eunice leaving Parliament Hill a mudbath, it promises to be a war of attrition over…
Athlete Interviews
“What excites you the most leads to the best performances” – Matt Leach
Matt Leach speaks to me from across the Atlantic, fitting in an hour or so conversation around 100 weekly miles and life as a software engineer at Google. It’s quickly apparent he’s an intelligent man but with his athletics there’s a side of the old romantic. You’d be forgiven…
Millrose Games 2022 Preview
Josh Kerr’s quest for World Championship gold begins this Saturday over the mile at the Millrose Games, where he will face a star-studded field. The Scotsman, fresh from Tokyo bronze, faces an Olympic final re-run against 11th placer Ollie Hoare, as well as the challenge of a developing Hobbs Kessler….
Athlete Interviews
“The only way you build consistency is being a step back” – Kris Jones and a summer of twin ambitions.
Kris Jones raced at the weekend in the Scottish Inter-District. He won, perhaps no great shock to many neutral observer but it was significant nonetheless. Kris hasn’t raced since last summer’s Olympic 10,000m trials. That day in June the Welshman ran 28.23.50, fifth Brit and crucially well under the Commonwealth…
Athlete Interviews
“I need a strong character to coach me” – Luke Duffy on new beginnings with the Run Yard
It is easy to see 2021 as a breakout year for Luke Duffy. A senior GB vest, Euro-Cross relay gold, three second personal bests in both the 800 (1.49.56) and 1500m (3.42.33). By most standards it was an impressive jump. But when you put it in context it suggests there’s…
Athlete Interviews
“Perhaps people think they’ve got to slow down so they do” – Andrew Davies on running his best past 40.
Andrew Davies isn’t like most international athletes. Most don’t get their first senior coach at 33, run their fastest marathon at 40 and do it all on the back of a successful career as a semi-pro footballer. But for Andrew none of these facts seem extra-ordinary. They’re all logical progressions…
Athlete Interviews
“Performances out there are valued” – Rory Leonard on stateside ambitions.
Speaking to Rory Leonard you quickly get the sense of a man who knows he has found his fit. A GB international and a collegiate athletic powerhouse in Oklahoma State. Three and a half years to hone his craft. A family affair But it wasn’t always meant to be that…
Athlete Interviews
“The best part of funding is student finance” – Ellis Cross on stepping up to the seniors
Ellis Cross was a prolific junior athlete. A two-time English national cross-country winner in the U20s, two-time BUCS 5000m champ, 15th in the European cross-country champs U23s in 2016. These were performances which had Ellis quite rightly thinking about a future as a professional athlete. Keep up the momentum and…
Athlete Interviews
“I see everything as multiples of my rent” – Jack Rowe on running.
Jack Rowe is a European Indoor finalist, regular in the GB vest and winner of the most recent trials race for the European Cross Country Champs. Right now he has a case to say he is the best male endurance runner in the country. Yet despite this every time he…
