About Martin

Your Name: Martin Ilott

Occupation: Veterinary Surgeon

Home Town: Windsor

 

Runners Questions

What is your running background?

First Marathon Paris 1989, Member of the 100 Marathon Club 1999, First Ultra Brighton 2000

 

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

Reaching 100 Marathons and achieving a sub-3hr marathon in Berlin (2:59:59) and a 1:18 half-marathon at Reading led to the search for new challenges

 

When or where (at which events) are we most likely to see you?

GUCR & Spartathlon

 

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

8 GUCR finishes, 5 Spartathlons, LeJog and solo transcontinental (fist UK runner I believe) Los Angeles to New York, sub-3hr marathon,

 

What was your hardest race experience?

Sub-3 hr marathon

 

What events do you have planned for 2015 up to Spartathlon?

GUCR, North Downs, Leeds-Liverpool, Boston Marathon, New Jersey Marathon, Potteries Marathon, Kent Coastal Marathon

 

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Start slow, walk the night and increase speed day 2

 

What does a typical training week look like?

Long run Sunday, 3 10 mile runs in the week plus cycling

 

What one tip would you pass onto people running an Ultra marathon for the first time?

Walk to recover

 

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself?

I was nearly the fastest solo-trans-continental runner in history completing the run form LA to New York in 72 days, missing the record by a few hours

Spartathlon Questions

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

Yes, on 10 occasions

 

How did you get on?

5 finishes in 10 (50%)

 

What tip would you pass on to those taking part for the first time?

Target a 30 minute-60 minute cushion at Corinth. Any faster you risk blowing-up any slower there is little margin for error

 

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

The evening though the mountain villages.

 

What are you not looking forward to during the Spartathlon race?

The broom-wagon (white bus)

 

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

3 core-ultras, night running and getting to 70 miles per week for several weeks.

 

Will you be bringing any support crew to the race?

No