Name: Anna Brown

Occupation: Cancer Pharmacist

Home Town: London

Questions

What is your running background?

I came to running quite late after a 14-year rowing career. During that time I’d dabbled a bit with halfs and marathons as cross-training but had never done much specific training and was definitely not speedy. Its only after I retired from rowing and started getting frustrated with lack of fitness that I started running more which was around my mid-30’s. 

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

I didn’t consciously become an ultra-runner, but in early 2019 I needed a massive fitness goal to aim for before undergoing surgery so I entered the Marathon des Sables to run in 2020. During that year I met David Bone and Darren Strachan (Camino Ultra) and they started coaching me, with the plan being a short term goal leading up to MdS. Then Covid happened and the event got pushed three times (by 18 months in total). I kept having to build up again and again each time it was delayed, so I started entering UK events that were starting to pop up again. I ended up running my first 100 miler and 24-hour track race in 2020 and some more ultras in 2021 and had some decent results over that period so by the time I finally got back from Morocco I was hooked.

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

So far I’ve mainly stuck to ‘runnable’ events as my training (on the flat towpath in London) lends itself more to those. I’ve done all the main Centurion 100’s and GUCR and KACR as well as a couple of track 24 hour races. I can also be found at the Camino Ultra events obviously! 

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

The race I’m most proud of is my recent win at KACR where I somehow won outright and set a new female course record. I’d entered it as a ‘dry-run’ for Spartathlon so I was really happy at the outcome! I’m also really proud of my 2024 Spartathlon finish, when I was the only British female finisher as it was an incredibly tough race where I had to dig deeper than I’ve ever had to before. Other achievements include my Centurion (unofficial) Grand Slam in 2022 where I decided to run the TP100 solo in December as I’d missed the event due to Covid. I also won the official TP100 in 2024 and this year won the inaugural London 100 (km).

What was your hardest experience?

DNFing MdS in the ‘hot/sick’ year of 2021. I’d trained really hard for nearly three years by the time I finally got there and had the best running fitness I’d ever had so was absolutely crushed when the heat wiped me out on Day 2 and 3 (50°C+ in the dunes!) It has taught me a lot about how to manage heat though as my body doesn’t adapt well but I haven’t DNF’d an event since, including my re-run of MdS in 2023 and other hot races.

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Depends on the terrain and length but I try and break the race down into chunks and plan a target pace for specific sections. This normally works for the first part and then the wheels might fall off (!) but I do generally try not to go out too fast. I like to try to familiarise myself as much as I can with the route too, whether that’s recces or studying the course maps.

What does a typical training week look like?

My job isn’t very flexible and my hospital is in the flatlands of London, so most of my mid-week runs have to be during commutes on the towpath with some intervals or other speed work thrown in where possible. I’m always trying (and often failing) to get in more strength work. Long runs tend to be at weekends. 

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

You will inevitably feel rubbish at some point and want to stop, but generally if you can walk it out it will get better!

Tell us one interesting fact about you?

When I used row I won two Commonwealth gold medals. 

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

Yes – 2024

How did you get on at Spartathlon?

I managed to finish but it wasn’t pretty. I really struggled on the second day with impact pain and couldn’t run at all for most of the last 50k (really disappointing when the last half marathon is downhill!) I also had borderline heatstroke by the end. 

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

Use the night. The cooler temperature and lack of Sun make it easy to back off on hydration and fuelling but you need to get your body ready to deal with another day of the heat so keep pushing the fluids and fuel and re-apply sun cream before the Sun comes up!

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

Having another crack, righting some wrongs, tuning things up and hopefully running some of that last half marathon! Also hanging out with the BST and having a good time!

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

The road in the last 50 KM. I don’t think I’ve ever sworn so much but the heat seemed to hit me from every direction. Probably didn’t help that I was mainly walking by that point though.

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

I’ve been upping the mileage in my races so far this year so have built up from 100km to 100 miles to 145 miles to try and train my body to keep pushing harder for longer. It’s really hard to train for the last 50 miles of Spartathlon as not many races are that long, so the KACR was an ideal opportunity. I’ve also been working in those races on constant fuelling and salt consumption to make sure my stomach can cope with it. I’ll be in the sauna a lot more over the next month too.

Will you be bringing any support crew to the race? (If so, please introduce them briefly)

Yes – my friend and Camino buddy Richard. We are trying to convince him to enter next year so thought it would be an educational experience for him!