Name: James Bennett

Occupation: Project Coordinator

Home Town: Dover

Questions

What is your running background?

My ambition was to run a marathon in my youth, and the dream came true back in 2014 running Brighton Marathon. The run was a rollercoaster as never ran more than half marathon distance and said never again. However, the next day I signed up to another marathon and caught the bug of running and completely changed my life.

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

My first proper ultra was Ranscombe Challenge (Kent) in July 2015 which was a 12-hour timed challenge running just under 4-mile laps and managed to run 53.2 miles. However, as it was a double header weekend I went back for day 2 and managed 57 miles.

The reason for doing the ultra-marathons was to see what I was capable of as you don’t always know and found the love and the dream was to achieve 100 ultras to work towards getting the triple crown of 100 road marathons, 100 trail marathons and 100 ultras.  

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

I have many personal running achievements which are all personal to me which keeps me going and wanting to keep on running more ultras:

Across the Years (2022) 16:11 – pb for 100 miler

Western States (2025) 26:29

Liverpool to Leeds Canal Race (2025) 22:24

What Races do you have planned up to Spartathlon

Spitfire Scramble 24 Hour

West Sussex 24 Hour

Lakeland 100

North Downs Way 100

Leadville 100

What was your hardest experience?

I have two hardest experiences.

The first one which I was naïve as after my first 100 miler achieving sub-20, I thought this is great let’s do another one which was only 6 weeks later. It was T100 which was a self-supported and had to carry all your food and only had 4 water drink stops only and was through London during August bank holiday weekend. I turned up with a school style rucksack who knew there was race vests (what are they when you are novice at this). My drink had leaked in the backpack, and my back had some much chafing. I managed to get lost so many times as well being self-navigation and the last 20 miles took over 8 hours, but I finished in 29:29 in last place.

The second experience was my first attempt at the Lakeland 100 in 2024. Looking back, I was quite naïve and underestimated what the race would demand. I had never run with poles before and decided to take just one, thinking I didn’t really use them and couldn’t see the point. Combined with the fact that I don’t naturally enjoy or train extensively on steep hills, it wasn’t my wisest decision.

By the third-to-last checkpoint, I had just 10 minutes to spare before the cut-off. On the way to the second-to-last checkpoint, after being on my feet for nearly 36 hours, fatigue took over and I became disorientated, taking a wrong turn. I eventually reached the final cut-off checkpoint with just one minute to spare, leaving no time to stop for food or supplies before continuing.

At that point, with only 10 miles remaining, I genuinely thought my race was over. I had developed trench foot for the first time, every step was painful, and I simply wanted to stop. I sat down expecting someone to come and collect me, but no one did. After a while, I realised I had a choice: stay where I was or keep moving. So, I got back on my feet.

This is where the ultra-running community showed its true spirit. The remaining runners waited for me at the final checkpoint and stayed with me for the last section of the course. Every step hurt, but their encouragement helped me keep going. I crossed the finish line in 45 hours and 24 minutes, with the final 10 miles taking almost 9½ hours.

That race taught me far more than any comfortable finish ever could. I learned the importance of preparation, making informed decisions, and respecting the demands of the challenge. More importantly, I discovered that even when I believed I had nothing left to give, I was capable of finding a way forward—especially with the support of others. Those lessons continue to shape how I approach both running and life.

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

These days you will see me at 100 mile or 24 hour events usually across the UK and always at the centurion events.

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

I usually go out hard to get the early miles in then start to slow down but try to keep at a reasonable pace but I am always run to feel.

What does a typical training week look like?

Well for me I am not the biggest fan of training as prefer running events. However, I do like to get out every day. So, I run 1 mile a day then at weekends do 100 miler event or if no event then I will be at parkrun to help with speed work.

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

Believe in yourself and you can always do further than you think as the body will take you just trust the process.

Tell us one interesting fact about you?

In 2025 I became the youngest person in the world to run 100 x 100 milers (taking me 3,214 days from 1st to 100th and since June 2021 completed 103 x 100 milers).

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

No

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?

The Spartathlon has been a dream of mine for a long time, so simply being on the start line will be a special moment. I’m looking forward to soaking up every part of the experience – from the excitement of the pre-race build-up and meeting runners from around the world, to the journey of the race itself.

More than anything, I want to embrace the whole experience rather than focus solely on the finish. Running such an iconic race, following in the footsteps of Pheidippides, is a privilege in itself. I know there will be highs and lows along the way, but I’m excited to take it all in, enjoy the atmosphere, and create memories that will stay with me.

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

Nothing, just going to enjoy the whole experience.

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

I will be training for Leadville to start with so will have attitude training to support my fitness when running near sea level. Then I will be focusing on some heat training in the lead up to help to prepare for the high temperatures that are often experienced during the race.

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

I won’t have a dedicated support crew during the race, but my mum will be travelling with me to Greece to provide moral support and to experience the Spartathlon herself.