Runners Information
Your Name: Pete Jackson
Occupation: Freelance Commercial Lawyer
Home Town: Bristol
Runners FAQ
What is your running background?
I participated in short running events at school, but didn’t achieve anything spectacular. I ran occasionally to stay fit whilst serving in the Royal Navy and in 2005 I signed up to the London Marathon. However, it wasn’t until 2015 that I picked up running a little more seriously – probably influenced by the immanency of my 50th!
When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?
In at the deep end and for a completely new challenge! My first ultras were the Thames Trot 50 and Green Man 45mi in 2016. I’d read “Fat Man to Green Man” by Ira Rainey and it inspired me to try my hand at something different. I wanted to see how far I could push myself.
When or where (at which events) are we most likely to see you?
Trying to tick off bucket list ultra races and their UK qualifiers: so Centurion events, Western States, UTMB, Hard Rock, Badwater, or local South West/Wales ultras and trail events. I would like to try my hand at some multi-days events: Dragons Back, MDS, summer Spine, or a rat-race adventure event; however, at the moment I prefer to get races over in one go and not stew in a tent overnight.
What are your personal key running achievements to date?
2017 Brecon-Cardiff 70k – 3rd in 5:59
2018 Thames Path 100 – 2ndin 16:42
2018 Endure 24 at Reading – 2nd(120mi)
2019 Manchester Marathon PB – 2:49
What was your hardest race experience?
I find any short race much more painful than an ultra, especially 5k-HM. I prefer to be slow cooked than fast fried!
What events do you have planned for 2019 up to Spartathlon?
I have a couple of marathons to open up 2019, Manchester and London; then I’ll turn my attention back to training for ultras with the South Wales 100 planned for June and a 50 mi some time in July/August.
What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?
Think run slow, eat and drink lots, keep moving. Run my own race. Oh, and spend ages coming up with a really complex race plan and then ignore it….
What does a typical training week look like?
Being a quinquagenarian I reluctantly can’t push myself like I would like to so most weeks I tend to follow a typical marathon type schedule with a mix of intervals, tempo/hills, and a long run per week. I usually fill this up with a medium/long run and a number of recovery runs to make a total of 70-90miles. Closer to an event my long runs turn into terrain-specific practice/recce runs and I include a few back-back long runs; I drop the VO2max and tempo stuff.
What one tip would you pass onto people running an Ultra marathon for the first time?
Break it down into segments and focus on the next aid station, not the end. Enjoy the route/scenery, people and food! And look after your feet.
Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself?
I almost ran over Tiger Woods in a golf buggy on a course in Orlando.
Spartathlon Questions
Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?
No
What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?
The history, atmosphere and challenge; being part of the British team and the camaraderie.
What are you not looking forward to during the Spartathlon race?
Running for a lot longer than I have ever done before.
How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?
Lots of hills and pounding pavements.
Will you be bringing any support crew to the race? (If so, please introduce them briefly)
Yes. My wife, Sandy, who has crewed (suffered?) me every race so-far. I would love to bring our young daughter out for an incredible experience, but I am not sure how practical that would be.
British Spartathlon Team 