Name: David Todd

Occupation: Clinical psychologist

Home Town: Tadcaster, Leeds

Socials: @davidtodd3851 (Instagram)

Questions

What is your running background?

I have always loved running from an early age and have run throughout my life in some form or another. I joined Tadcaster Harriers a few years ago which has been a great set of mates, and has pushed me on to get all my various PBs in my 40s.

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

Endure24 Leeds is in Bramham which is a stones-throw away from where I live, so I thought I’d give that a go and did a solo 100 miles there in 2024, I loved it! I’ve been booking ultras in ever since.

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

Centurion SD100 in 2025 was my first point-to-point 100 miler which was amazing.

I ran the Cockbain Track100 in 2025 in 18 hours 44 minutes specifically to qualify for this.

As part of my training for Track100, I booked a day off work to run 50 miles around Wakefield track in 6 hours 56 minutes.

What Races do you have planned up to Spartathlon

None, just trying to follow the training plan and hope not to get injured 

What was your hardest experience?

Probably the second half of track 100 (did the first half too fast in a classic rookie move)

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

I’m going to enter Spartathlon every year until I complete it! You’ll be sick of me.

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Try to relax, smile. I try to hold two competing thoughts at the same time:“dig in, enjoy it, this is your life now”, with “this will end and it will be glorious!”

What does a typical training week look like?

I’m currently aiming for back-to-back weekend long runs and a midweek long run; A dedicated Hill session (and incorporating Hills into one of the long runs); A hard elliptical trainer session; and two junk mile days. Hoping to build up to around 100 miles per week if I can. I am going to try and do more strength and conditioning and I’ve been to one runners’ Pilates class so far.

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

Well obviously you need to be physically fit. However (and I would say this as a psychologist) there is a huge contribution of mindset that is required for spending such a long time doing one thing. Particularly when that one thing is testing previously unexplored territory for you (e.g., distance, elevation, temperature, sleep deprivation), and it hurts. Following Spartathletes, you realise that the mind really can make the apparently impossible become possible. I think ultramarathon running is a powerful exploration of how humans can drive themselves to achieve these incredible feats that go way beyond any training run. It is mentality that is the make-or-break, rather than any particular natural physical abilities. If we want it enough, and back ourselves, it can be done.

Tell us one interesting fact about you?

Before taking up ultramarathons I had a successful career as a foot model. Sadly, years of running have taken their toll, and my former agent now refuses to return my calls.

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

 No. I’ve been aware of it for a few years though through a mate from Tadcaster Harriers (AJ) who has been a previous participant. I was awestruck as soon as he told me about it.

How did you get on?

N/A

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

N/A

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

I love the history to the Race and the sense of being part of the coming together of athletes from around the world to do this extraordinary thing. All brothers and sisters, united in pursuit of the same journey and destination. I love how Spartathlon requires self-belief and personal sacrifice but also it is an event that is much bigger than any one person. You become part of the greater context of the race itself and of its history that spans centuries.

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

The relentless hours of pain or The bus of death. (I hope for the former rather than the latter).

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

I plan to do some heat training coming into the last month or so, sauna etc. Ideally, I want to practice not being surprised by anything new in the Race itself, although it’s quite hard to re-create the Greek Mediterranean conditions in North Yorkshire.

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

Possibly… discussions are ongoing! My wife, Rebecca, enjoys crewing me usually but needs to stay at home with the kids. I’m seeing if anyone else can, but possibly will be solo. Looking forward to meeting all my fellow BST athletes though.