Profile

Name: Nicholas Smith

Occupation: Tree Surgeon

Home Town: Bedford

Questions

What is your running background?

I have always enjoyed running from an early age, competing in school cross country meets and training at my local athletics club. As an adult I returned to running as a way to maintain my fitness and later as part of training for triathlons.

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

My Ultra-marathon running started in 2019, with the main aim being to raise as much money as I could for the charity Children’s Acute Transport Service (CATS). They supported our family in 2017 when our son was unwell and needed to be transferred to another hospital. I loved my first 100 milerace experience, met some really lovely people and was hooked from then on!

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

You will often find me competing in local 3-2-1 Go Running events or further afield at Centurion and Lakeland races.

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

Finishing in 1 st place at the Robin Hood 100 in 2020 was a huge surprise but a very happy memory that will stick with me.

What was your hardest experience?

By far, the Cheviot Goat. The knee-deep bogs and muddy terrain made it pretty gruelling!

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

To take each mile as it comes, eat often and enjoy the experience.

What does a typical training week look like?

A typical week will include between 7 and 9 training sessions, spread across 6 days. My mileage ranges between 40-60 miles per week with a mix of different distances and intensities.

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

Enjoy the scenery and go heavy on the Soreen!

Tell us one interesting fact about you?

I am a huge Phil Collins fan

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

No

Where did you get your qualifier for Spartathlon:

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

Meeting more like-minded people and reaching the finish line in one piece.

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

Finishing the race without my two biggest cheerleaders there to greet me! My 7 year old son and 4 year old daughter will be watching the live streams and cheering from afar but it won’t feel the same without them.

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

Some heat training, getting in plenty of mileage and listening to the wise words of previous finishers Ian Hammett and Robbie Britton.

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

I’m hoping to bring along Jonathan Langford, the very friend who helped convince me to run my first 100 miler!