An uphill struggle: Getting fit has been Justin’s biggest challenge - but now he’s running the length of the UK!
By Nicola Moyne
HAVING watched the London Marathon last Sunday, many of us will be praising the runners who decided to pound their way through 26 miles for charity.
However, one endurance athlete from South Ockendon is taking running to the extreme next week, by attempting to run the length of Britain.
Justin Maclaurin, a Security Officer for the Houses of Parliament, plans to run from one end of the country to the other in just 15 days, which equates to 868 miles – an average of 55 miles a day.
Is he crazy? His family and friends certainly seem to think so. But for seasoned long-distance runner Justin, it’s just another challenge to overcome, and he’s looking forward to competing with the rest of the JOGLE Ultra racers.
“The funny thing is I used to hate sport and couldn’t even run around the block without stopping,” the 38-year-old laughs. “But in 1994 I set myself a goal to run the London Marathon and when I crossed the finish line it was a fantastic feeling.
“Nowadays I enjoy running more and more, and I don’t see the longer distances as a challenge so much, but as something I enjoy doing.” Since that milestone, Justin has been involved in various prestigious running events, including the Marathon des Sables – a 6 day, 151-mile endurance race that takes place across the Sahara Desert, and Marathon of Ontario Summer Edition – the World’s longest six day footrace at 188 miles. And he runs to work. Which is 25 miles away.
“It’s not unusual for me to go for a 40 mile run on a Saturday and then do it again on Sunday, and I regularly either run to or from work at part of my training,” Justin admits. “People think I’m crazy, and I have to admit it does feel a bit bizarre that I now consider a marathon to be a training run rather than an event I would train all year to achieve. But it’s given me a great foundation to build on.
“Distance running isn’t all about being physically fit though. It is also a huge mental challenge and staying in the right frame of mind is important. Boredom is something we all suffer from on occasions but over these sort of distances you have to keep positive all the time.”
Indeed, while the JOGLE race remains one of Justin’s biggest endurance events, he insists it won’t be his biggest challenge.
“I think actually starting to get fit was my biggest challenge,” he reveals. “I hated it at first and had to really make myself go. Now I actually enjoy running these long distances; I find myself slightly addicted to it.”
And, with the race starting on 30 April, Justin can’t wait to start pounding the UK pavements.
“I’m going through a mixture of emotions right now,” he laughs. “Training has been scaled down and so I’ve found myself with spare time and I’m getting itchy feet! But my biggest fear is not finishing. Although most of us have done multi day events before, none of us really know how our bodies will cope with the demands of running more than two marathons a day for 15 days. Injury will be my main worry.”
Understandably, family and friends are also concerned for Justin’s safety… and sanity.
“Obviously they think I’m mad,” he laughs. “But they’ve been very encouraging and doing these sort of events give me a great confidence boost.
“The sense of achievement for me is enormous and I love proving to myself and my family that if you put your mind to something then you really can achieve it.”
For further details on the JOGLE Ultra race, which raises a huge amount of money for charity each year, visit www.ultramarathonrunning.com.