Name: Bryan Wilkins

Occupation: Financial Services Consultancy

Home Town: Winchester

Questions

What is your running background?

Started running around 10 years ago having previously been a 20+ per day smoker and realising it was time for a lifestyle change! After finishing my first half marathon I was hooked and haven’t looked back since! These days, I’m glad to have replaced my cigarette habit with a much healthier pursuit (kinda)!

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

First ultra was Race to the Stones, completed over 2 days in 2016. At the time, 50k per day seemed such a long way and I was completely smashed after the first day! But I loved seeing what possible and the warm, fuzzy feeling of achievement.

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

I usually do one road marathon per year, some trail 50kms and one longer “A race” which has typically been the Spartathlon the last few years. I find as I’m getting older, I can’t do an event like this justice without going all in!

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

Top 10 Spartathlon finish in 2025!

240km+ in my first 24 hour track race!

What was your hardest experience?

The Spartathlon 2024 – running all day in the heat took its toll and the wheels came off good and proper!

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Run my own race, nail the nutrition and try not to go out too hard at the start (still trying to master that one)!

What does a typical training week look like?

Approx 60-70 miles per week of running on the roads or the trails with plenty of strength and conditioning and crossing training to provide some respite to my achey joints!

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

Break the race down into small chunks, try to stay in the moment and enjoy every minute of it!

Tell us one interesting fact about you?

I love house music and back in my hedonistic 20’s, was a DJ in Paris!

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

2024 and 2025

How did you get on?

Delighted to get around in 2024 despite multiple attempts to throw in the towel – thankfully, my crew were having none of it!

Top ten finish in 2025!

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

The heat of the day can be pretty brutal so dial back the effort and leave something in the tank for later. When the sun goes down it feels like a different race and if you’ve paced it well, gains can we definitely be made!

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

Being part of the amazing Spartathlon community for another year, seeing friends and sharing race day stories post the event!

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

I’m susceptible to taking wrong turns and have done so in the race the past two years – it’s such a horrible feeling when it happens and I really hope to stay on track this year!

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

Some decent mileage on the road and trails, lots of S&C, practising nutrition and getting out in that heat!

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

Katie – my superstar wife; Ed – my brother in law and chief in race strategist!