Name: Rob Jones

Occupation: Endurance coach at InnerFight Endurance, Dubai

Home Town: Dubai

Questions

What is your running background?

I started running like all the greats, as a pub bet with a friend arguing over who could run a marathon
fastest! It sort of escalated from there after moving to the Middle-East. Someone in work told me about a
72km Ultra marathon with a ‘big hill’ It intrigued me, my wife bought me my first ‘running shoes’ and
signed me up to a marathon as a training run. Since then running has taken me all over the world, its
become my career, its given me so much and I love that I have the opportunity to coach athletes who are on
their own running journey of discovery!

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

Wadi Bih was my fist ever ultra – It’s a 36km out and back route. The first half is 1200m uphill, the second
half, 1200m down hill. After this race I was hooked!! My mum moved to Les Bossons, just 4km down the
Valley from Chamonix and I saw the hype that Id read about in all the books about the infamous UTMB.

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

Any and all! 5km-Marathon, Single stage Ultras, 5 day ultras, mountains, tarmac, the desert, and in the sea!

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

Getting into this Lottery was pretty special, Id not even considered it to be honest and a client and Friend Jeff
tole me that my Belfast 24hour would get me into the ballot.

UTMB last year had been on my bucket list for a while. I had a sub 30 goal and came in after 29h45. Was
Very happy – Showing that you can train for mountains on the Dubai flats with enough imagination and
some gym work!

What was your hardest experience?

Belfast 24-hour Qualifier for Spartathalon was Horrendous! I pulled my hamstring early on in the race and
so I was reduced to walking the mile loop for 9hours!
UTMB Oman was pretty rough. 6 hours of vomiting and expelling everything in my body before reaching the
highest point of the course at 130km and being pulled by the medics. To add insult to injury, to avoid being
helicoptered off, I had to walk 10km off the mountain to the nearest access point the next morning. At least
it was all downhill!

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

We have an inside Joke in our team that the first 10km…go for PB. I always tell myself to start conservative
but usually leave the line a little hot and take a few kms to settle into a nice rhythm. Im steady on the climbs
and ALL IN on the descents!

What does a typical training week look like?

Cover all of the blocks. Aero, Tempo, Threshold. 2-3x strength as a non-negotiable. Throw in some
Mountain biking and windsurfing and it’s a decent week

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

Walking in Ultras is a powerful tool, so train your hiking speed!

Tell us one interesting fact about you?

Before working in coaching runners I was a Maths teacher for a decade!

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

No

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

Meeting a load of good people, learning together, suffering together and finishing together!

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

Nothing – Bring it all on!

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

Whilst in the UK for the summer, long single-stage runs of up to 90km at my goal starting pace, followed up
with a 15-20km run the next day.

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

Yes – My friend and Owner of Innerfight, Marcus.