Name: Darren Strachan

Occupation: IT Consultant (Full Time), Director of Chaos @ Camino Ultra (Full Time), Parent (Full Time) 

Home Town: London

Questions

What is your running background?

Half, NY Marathon, London, London50k, Comrades was kind of how it started 

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

Comrades 2006 for a bet. 

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

All Camino events, occasionally a Centurion 100, Spartathlon 

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

3 Sparta finishes 

What was your hardest experience?

I’m the DNF king, take your pick from a Sparta fail, two Arc fails and 2 SDW fails, all very painful for different reasons. 

Still, one must at least try to get off the canvas.  Chumbawumba friends. 

What events do you have planned for 2023 up to Spartathlon?

Finished the Country to Capital in January (hurrah!), really slow Manchester marathon but had a good dance, 18 hours in the blazing sun on the SDW100 (DNF) as heat prep 

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

I’ve given up on strategy but I’ve started to appreciate real food and electrolytes so maybe that will see me through.  A 10 minute mile is actually quite fast isn’t it. Isn’t it? 

What does a typical training week look like?

20 miles a week, try to have one night a week off the sauce.   Back on the Special K for breakfast though, bonus. 

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

Welcome to the jungle 

Tell us one interesting fact about you?

Gordon Strachan‘s not my uncle 

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

Yes, in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021 

How did you get on?

DNF 2016 at 128 miles.  Yeah that hurt. 

Finishes the other years.  Similar to a Sam Torrance quote, apart from my wedding day and the births of my children, those were the best moments of my life. 

Zorba, you were fun. 

Here comes the sun, little darling, ooh yeah. 

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

I’ve given up, no one ever listens.  Actually Jason did, so one more time…. don’t start too fast, don’t look at the checkpoint signs.  

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

After Corinth, Overtaking a shitload (probably actually 2 or 3) of people who’ve started too fast.    Catching up with the Spartathlon family, vibe chilling with the next President of the USA Bob Hearn, sinking a few Guinness with Anto, Anne and Rolando, all those late night talks with Jimmy Ellis in our room, Jeff and Jane kicking my arse out of Malandreni.  Tasty, salty, sweaty bronze toes.  Ah yes, hearing with 30 miles to go that Nath Flear has won, then seeing his megawatt grin when he comes out to join the crewing. 

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

Nothing, I love all of it.  Bring it to me baby. 

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

Last week I managed to run 40 miles, including, unbelievably, a 15 miler.  I might do a couple more of those.  

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

Yes, my brother Jeff and sister-in-law Jane.  They are the most experienced and best crew in the entire race, so don’t go stealing them from me.  Also Mr Jamie Holmes will be there.  If ever there was a man to make pain disappear with laughter, it’d be Jamie, I’m del