Name: James Ellis

Occupation: Nutritionist

Home Town: Leeds

Questions

What is your running background?

Fatty to fitty middle-aged bloke. 

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

When I first ran Spartathlon in 2015, my answer to this was the Leeds Half Marathon ☺
Now I run a series of local races called the Punk Panther and the occasional timed track event, occasional canal runner. Sparta tends to be my annual suffer fest.

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

This could quite literally be anywhere, I’m a sucker for a medal and T shirt. I don’t really like doing the same race too many times so am now always on the lookout for something different.

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

Five Spartathlon finishes
One Spartathloff
Third at the Athens Ultra Festival 2018 with 137 miles (not sure I’ll ever beat that)
A few podiums at the Punk Panther events above

What was your hardest experience?

Ask me about 2019’s Shitgate in Athens. Sticking your hand in another runner’s massive pile of steaming shit in a dark Portaloo five minutes before the start is quite literally a shit prep for a 36 hour run.

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Fight the urge to start like a twat. Try and keep it steady. Walk if need to when miles are banked. Try and eat/drink regularly.

What does a typical training week look like?

Couple of strength sessions in the gym, Maintenance miles between 40-60 then ramping to a few weeks of 80-100 before a big race.

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

It swings from great to absolutely shit on repeat.

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself;

I was brought up in Greece, so if you need someone who speaks the lingo, I’m your man.

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

This year will be my 9th run of the route.

How did you get on?

Five finishes, 2 DNFs, 1 SpartathlOFF

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

The morning on day 1 is great, the heat of the afternoon on day 1 is awful. If you can get past that and have at least 45 mins in the bank at Corinth, you should be able to do it.

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

The finish is incredible. 

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

You’re running alone at night and you start to hear the yelping of packs of wild dogs.

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

The treadmill in the garage is surrounded by heaters.

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

My buddies Jason Shaw (who’s a Michelin-trained chef so I’m expecting the food to be great) and Ant Hodgson.