Your Name: Mich Hardie

Occupation: Resource Controller with Portsmouth City Council

Home Town: Portsmouth

Runners Questions

What is your running background? I have always had an interest in running, seemed to be the only person at school who was excited when they let us do cross country. I was part of a team representing Middx and North West London Army Cadets and ran at the nationals. I didn’t do my first marathon till 2002 which went ok but I neglected running for the following five years after which I started doing marathons at a progressively frequent rate.

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why? What seemed to me to be the natural progression to ultra-distances followed and in 2012 I did my first lengthy ultra The Ridgeway Challenge, I made a few mistakes but got through and haven’t looked back.

When or where (at which events) are we most likely to see you? Various off road events, LDWA events are good. I’d say similar events to everyone else because there’s always familiar faces.

What are your personal key running achievements to date? I have managed a couple of top 10 finishes at Centurions 100’s and came 3rd running 70 miles at last year’s Ultra12.

What was your hardest race experience? Must be my first Ridgeway when I went wrong a couple of times and was going so long I was hallucinating.

What events do you have planned for 2016 up to Spartathlon? Not much booked but am doing London Marathon, Southdowns Way 100 and may do the 50 mile race at Ultra12.

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra? Keep things simple, try not to over think it.

What does a typical training week look like? I’m used to running 3 or 4 times a week Probably averaging 40 miles a week.

What one tip would you pass onto people running an Ultra marathon for the first time? Keep it simple and know you will finish.

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself? I don’t like beetroot, will eat most other foods though.

Spartathlon Questions

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race? Just being involved in such an Iconic event

What are you not looking forward to during the Spartathlon race? Not sure how I’ll deal with the heat.

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race? More road running and hope for a hot summer to practice running in the heat.

Will you be bringing any support crew to the race? Yes my Partner Amy, Russ Tullet and Sandra Hopkins.