Runners Information

Your Name: Steve Gordon

Occupation: Lifestyle Financial Planner

Home Town: Bury St Edmunds

Runners Profile

What is your running background?

In my mid 30’s I wrote a ‘Bucket List’ of 100 things I would like to do before I die. Running the London Marathon was one of them.. I threw a dart at the list and thats what it landed on.. this was my first experience of any running – I was useless at school!

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

A pal of mine suggested we do a race together as he was a keen marathon runner, but as he’d already done London, New York Paris etc.. I chose one further afield. The Marathon De Sables – and we went and did that. 

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

Great Barrow Challenge events are just down the road from me -they put 17+ marathons a year including a 10 in 10, so I can often be seen there, and I like Mark Cockbain’s events too, apart from ‘The Hill’ – Im not stupid you know..

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

C2C finisher twice, Viking Way finisher twice, The Thames Ring finisher.. It was also me that first suggested the ‘Oner’ as a single stage race instead of over three days.

What was your hardest race experience?

The Thames Ring – I was done at mile 75, but got given a good talking from my wife and a friend who turned up to gee me on.. somehow I finished and since then have done OK at Ultra’s

What events do you have planned for 2018 up to Spartathlon? (Dates/name of key events)

All in for Badwater135, then Spartathlon.. will be using the weekends leading up to Badwater to run in events like the Oxon 40 and 50milers where I can

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Start at the back of the pack and work my way through, I start slowly and walk frequently.

What does a typical training week look like?

3-4 week cycles, 40-100 miles per week, lots of cardio and core strength

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

Start slow and keep yourself fuelled up.

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself?

I have 5 daughters.

Spartathlon Questions

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

No

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

Kissing the foot of King Leonidis

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

Nothing

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race? 

Speed training to improve my mph a bit more, as the cut offs are something to be aware of.

Will you be bringing any support crew to the race?

No