Profile

Name: Bryn Jones

Occupation: Fund Manager

Home Town: Sevenoaks

Questions

What is your running background?

Dad was an 800m North West Kent schools record holder with 2:05 at aged 15. Some genes maybe in there as I tend to lead most races after 800m. Played a high standard of football until 30 in London Banks premier league and representing league in matches against marines, old boys league and southern amateur league. Put on weight after I packed up football so started running to get fit again and to combat love/hate relationship with the booze. Started out fun runs. Then took my hand to 5km and 10km races. 2019 was a good year where I tried (unsuccessfully) to reach British masters v45 team running a 35:07 10km, in 2018 won v40 champ in the Wirral 5km 6 race series with 17:09 PB and coming third in the 2019 Tonbridge hilly half with a dream sub 80 minute half. I then went
onto run ultras in 2016 then Lakeland 100 and then 6 hour and 24 hour races.

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

My first ultra was the Lakeland 50… not an easy start with rocks and bogs. I have to thank David White for ultras having visited our Kendal office and he took me out on the Kentmere Horseshoe and over High Tops Fell to give me the bug and then he coaxed me into trying it.

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

Originally at the Lakeland 100 as I just love the atmosphere Marc creates there. However, being a flat horse it’s like taking Shergar over jumps so I actually prefer the track races like 6, and 24 hour races like Tooting 24 and Crawley. As well as Big Bear events more grass roots stuff

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

35:07 10km 2019
Leading Lakeland 100 for 30km 2017
Tonbridge half marathon 3rd 79.42 2019
Bedgebury trail 10km course record 2018

Battersea 24 hour 189.09Km PB 2021 (particularly important as came back from bicycle accident and knee injuries and weight gain all through lockdowns)
6km trail 74km PB
Crewing Sorokin to his first 100mile record. This was great experience as he Quarantined at my house for 10 days pre his first 100 mile WR.

What was your hardest race experience?

Leading 100 Lakeland on for course record to Wasdale then hyper-extending knee then falling and cracking arm… halfway in about 12 hours then knee locking so could not bend it and deciding to limp the course 50 miles from Dalmain to Coniston in another 22 hours. Hallucinating frogs and polar express experiences
Still finished! Brutal day and bit out!

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Used to be to go out too fast. Now more considered. Since PB at Battersea where I put watch in pocket now just run to feel. Really helped in 19th place In SDW 100km … just running to feel

What does a typical training week look like?

2017- 2019 Used to do way too much including 100 mile weeks, 90km track sessions, double London marathon in 7 half hours.
Now listen to body. Higher pace lower mileage currently because growing up kids that are sporty at weekend means I have developed my own kiddo taxi service , hectic work means spare time a lot less and a loving partner I want to spend time with.

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

Don’t go out to fast… don’t bother looking at watch. As an averagely good 10km runner the negative feedback I got from my pace on my watch kept me in mentally wrong place.

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself?

There are many… probably some that can’t be put in print..lol…I used to DJ from 1990-2004… been on same flyer as Carl Cox and Sasha

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

No, but maybe in a previous life?

Where did you get your qualifier for Spartathlon:

Battersea 24hr

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

Finishing it! In all seriousness when the pain turns to pleasure as it always does somewhere about 130km into a race & A good pint after … see below!

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

Attempting to be sober for about 1 month before. As for anything else …nothing else worrying me… the chimp is in its box

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

UK ULTRA’s 100km SDW done… under 12 hours a very enjoyable mid effort training run , round the rock in Jersey August 78km race… a few longer runs in between but ultimately trying to keep niggle free so training is listening to body .. I have base aerobic ability … need muscles not to be too fatigued.

Have Camino ultra’s coaches on board. Darren Strachan and David Bone are Experienced ultra-runners
and are helping as much with mental prep as Much as physical prep but I know they think I am a lazy so and so

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

James fox… James runs KOMfuel.co.uk and has been a friend for number of years from when he set up the business. James has accompanied me to the Basel 24 hour race, and Athens 24 hour…he has that never give up mentality and John Nash approach to calculation what calories I should be taking on. I’ll also have my usual whatspap chat group that I always find encouraging. Have also got tips off my Friend Aleksandr Sorokin, although I might not go at his pace! Ill Also have the support of Camino Coaching.