Runners Information

Your Name:      Sam Tomlinson

Occupation:      Partner, PwC

Home Town:     London

Runners FAQ

What is your running background? 

First London marathon in 2002 at age 26, when still very unfit!

Started getting serious about road marathons from 2008; then ran MdS in 2012, South Downs 100 in 2016 and 2017, and UTMB in 2017.

 

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

Inspired by a road runner friend in New York who had switched to ultras.

First ultra was Pilgrims in 2010, as preparation for MdS.

 

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

I love xnrg and run Pilgrims and Druids most years.  Also a big fan of Centurion, but with a much better finishing record on their 50 mile races than the 100s

 

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

MdS – finisher 2012

Chiltern Challenge (xngr) – 1^stoverall 2014

Road marathon PB – 2:53, London 2016

Druids Challenge (xnrg) – 2^ndoverall & 1^stvet, 2016

South Downs 100 (Centurion) – finisher 2016 & 2017

UTMB – finisher 2017

Pilgrims Challenge (xnrg) – 1^stvet, 2018 & 2019

 

What was your hardest race experience?

UTMB, by a mile!  DNF in 2014, eventually followed by redemption in 2017

 

What events do you have planned for 2019 up to Spartathlon? 

Bob Graham Round – planned attempt 6 July

 

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

In theory – even pace

In practice – go out too fast and hang on at the end

 

What does a typical training week look like?

40 miles, mostly on road

 

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

Start steady, not fast.  (I need to listen to my own advice!)

 

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself?

I was once stopped by the police for running on the hard shoulder of a motorway

Spartathlon Questions

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

No

 

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race? 

Finishing….hopefully.

 

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

The previous 153 miles!

 

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?   

Attempting the Bob Graham Round in July, which should help with leg strength

 

Will you be bringing any support crew to the race? 

Hoping to – my brother Ben Tomlinson and possibly friend (and former finisher) Paul Rowlinson – both TBC over the next month