Profile

Name: Emma Bird

Occupation: Sports Therapist

Home Town: London

Questions

What is your running background? Started running 2012 aged 39

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why? Joined a running group, who were all long Distance runners after watching one of them during TP100 I was hooked, so signed up for my first ultra straight after my 1^st marathon.

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

Centurion events, xnrg, maverick and those local to the Southdowns.

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

4 x 100 milers/30 + marathons

24 hour track

What was your hardest race experience?

Tooting 2019- gold fish bowl experience, whilst attempting to do a ballot Qualifier was mentally tough.

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Start and finish

What does a typical training week look like?

Run 6 days a week, with decent variety of effort and terrain.

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

Fueling and hydration attention is key

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself? I like cats!

Spartathlon Questions

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before? No

Where did you get your qualifier for Spartathlon:

SDW100 2021

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

The whole experience, meeting the team, soaking up the culture, and obviously kissing  that foot.

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

That’s a hard one, as I can’t wait to embrace every part if it, but mild concern early cuts offs in the heat.

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

Stay grounded, practice, and visualise the finish.

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

Yes my two favourites