Quite pleased

On 7th and 8th November I started an ultra with one goal in mind. Keep going as long as possible. My previous attempts in the past five years have all been disasterous. I go off too fast and stop within ten hours. This time I stayed on the track for 18 hours and covered more distance than at any time since 2020.

So what was the story? Well I had no intention of entering.  in fact I had no idea the race was on. 

Graeme Boxell,  an ever present crewing at Spartathlon told me  about it while we were in Greece. 

"Go on Rob, just come along,  it can't be that far from where you live"

He was right it was a few hours from  home on thre trains. Chrissy said it was fine for me  to do  as she plans she had plan for that weekend anyway . The only issue was engineering work on the local lines, but she took me to the Frankfurt airport from which I got a train the Mannheim and then a local traing from there to the local station in Ubstadt-Weiher. 

The race started at 18:00 on the Friday evening and I got there in plenty of time and made my way by foot to the start .  I met Graeme & Pete Johnson at the start.  These guys have a fine predigree of Ultras

Graeme here DUV Ultra Marathon Statistics

Pete here DUV Ultra Marathon Statistics and here DUV Ultra Marathon Statistics Yeah Pete has two enteries for some reason

I met Graeme while crewing multiple times ar Sparatatlon, and I have always enjoyed my interactions with him,  although they tend to brief as he crew the likes of Daysey who is always way ahead of the people I crew.

 

I first met Pete back in 2012 on my first Spartalong attempt in 2012 and then on my first successful GUCR.   Pete is a well known face on  the British Ultra scene and it was a please to meet  after so long

I traveled down in my running kit plus a pair of jeans and a hoody. When the race started, as I had decide to walk the race I didin't both removing the outer clotheing and just walked. Thew course was a simply mile loop that was well lit. 

Walking while everyone else was running is a bit odd and you have to make sure you are out of the way of the fast people.  one such was a new friend, Matthias Gall who I met at the Spartathlon Beer Mile(SPM).  He made laugh there was he was concenrd about the SBM entry requirements.  These ar only to bring five beers,  four for the race and one for me. heh I provide the trophy together with Matt Blacburn and my son...

At tenish I was,  for the first time  looking at my motivation book, which although I take  it to every race I forget to look at it.

This really kept me  going. Also I was using watered down Maurten powder, sharing a third of one packet per 500ml bottle per hour.  Does that make sense? Each pack is 83 grams and I put roughly 30g into a 500ml bottle.  I found that putting the water in first and then adding the powder after works better.  In  the past I put the power in and the add the water.  This results in the powder turning into a congealed  mess at the bottom of the bottle.  I also availed myself of the food on the refreshment table and had a few energy bars.

By threeish the number of people thinned out.  I was sending voice notes to Chrissy overnight just to report on how I was going and listening to them back I sound ok.

At 5:30 I was a tad cold and found Graeme "resting" This is normally where I am after eleven hours so  pleased with myself that I was still going. I had decide to take a cat nap like Graeme.  Surprisingly I notice now that I sat down at 05:33 and got up at 5:49.   Power nap or what?

At 07:20 it was daylight and my vision was a bit off.  I thought I saw a rotating windsock, that turned out to be a flag. I was cold but just flapped my arms about and soon warmed up.  

I kept going having the odd chat with people as they slowed for a walking break. At one  stage Pete walked for several laps and we had a good old mans chat about the start of the world.  

By mid day and eithgeighteen hours on the course I was still strong, but felt I had proved myself for this attempt.  Graeme and Pete said they would be getting a cab to the station so I made a decision to go with them. In the end that was a mistake  s the cab didn't arrive and the train journey was full of cancellations and delays. As Chrissy said, why stop at that time, keep going to 18:00.  My wife is rather irritating at times as she is always right.

I got home  and I had a very nice collection  of blisters.  three on one  foot,  two on the other.  personally I blame  Richard Fish, as I used some Drymax socks he gifted me  and if you look carefully the bastard gave me  two lefts.

I’ve always believed Ultras are not about beating someone else — it’s about being a little stronger, a little steadier, a little more resilient than I was before. Every ultra is a reminder that progress isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s just showing up, logging the miles, and trusting that tomorrow you’ll be stronger for it. This run was one more brick in the wall of endurance I’ve been rebuilding for years after breaking bones in my lower limbs in the last few years. This run was exactly that: proof that consistency builds endurance, and endurance builds character.  

10 years have past

It is ten years since I finished Spartathlon for the one and only time. Since then, I’ve run it once more and crewed six times—the last two with Chrissy. The record for crewing is far better than running, with four finishers and two DNFs, compared to my running record of one finish and four DNFs. In truth, that one finish was at the very limit of my abilities. It took me three previous attempts to achieve it. Since then, I’ve broken bones in each of my legs and put on fifteen kilos. It is very doubtful I will ever qualify again—thus my focus on crewing, which I greatly enjoy.

My mood going in was only dampened by my contract being cancelled. In truth, that was a blessing. I had been at IKEA for far too long, and several of my colleagues were very bad for my mental health—not least my boss, who is somewhat of a sociopath, as illustrated by his defence of bullying co-workers that was pure gaslighting. Add to that his penchant for very odd pornography, which he had shipped to my home address and demanded I deliver to him—it was a relief not to have to deal with him ever again.

But that’s enough of me feeling sorry for myself. This year’s Spartathlon was the best yet for me. The people I meet every year are always welcoming and fun to be with. I see people with multiple finishes, like Ian Thomas, who has achieved ten consecutive finishes—with a tiny pang of jealousy. That said, the front-of-pack runners aren’t those I have much in common with, lovely people though they are.

We got Andy to the end after his DNF last year by force feeding him Baklava.  Well done chap

Andy on the finishing straight

I have enormous sympathy for those who DNF, as I know only too well what that feels like. Anyone who can commit to pushing themselves to the very limit, fail, and come back again—like Terry Tillotson—are people I identify with far more. Terry, if you’re reading this and need a crew for next year, let me know.

Nick Gkikas and his crew did really well, although he also didn’t finish. I’m extremely indebted to Nick and Nikki for helping with the issues involving Marsh Pullan and David Stuart at the end. As Nikki said: “What’s the point of speaking another language if you’re not gonna use it to help other people?” That really is the ethos of the British Spartathlon Team. Tim and Anna also struggled with injuries and were cut.

Nixk, Anna, Tim & Terry.  The real heroes

The race organisation was improved previous years highlighted by extremely well organised gala. For the first time that I can remember the organisers created desginated country tables. This avoided the rush to grab a table and was much appreciate.  I got to meet Mary and RuneLarsson who were multipile winners in the early days of the race.   Especially nice people. 

What else was of interest? Seeing the GPS guys who set up the trackers and monitor the race, Freya Tim and Richard is always interesting. They have some great ideas on how to cut down on the cheating of  runners receiving crew assistance out side of the designated crew checkpoint. I hope that their ideas gets implemented. 

Chatting with Vangelis (Race Director), Doukas (Race Marshal), and Panagiotis (Technical Director) is always enlightening. It’s nice to hear about the challenges from the organisers’ side of the race, and I hope to incorporate some of their feedback into advice for British runners next year—not least to ensure you’re prepared for all weather types, after the storm hit midway through the night

Doukas

The Beer Mile was even more of a success with more than a dozen participants taking part. Thanks to Matt Blackburn and Bob Hearn for their assistance in creating the trophy and allowing time for it. TheTurkish team where very helpful in assiting in clearing up after the race. 

I receive a lot of feedback from the women runners and others on the team for how the British Team can improve in that arena and we will certainly consider all of it in the coming months in time for next year.

One final word of thanks to this years BST sponsors, three of whom were at the race

Our sponsors (Butcombe Brewing, Oyster Wealth Management, Avani Solutions, TrackTrail, Camino Ultra/Looming.Tech, and Wingman Designs) fund our kit, website & more  Links here: https://britishspartathlonteam.org/2025/07/20/2025-welcome-bst-sponsors/

See you all next year. 

🏛️ Sparta for All: Why I’m Fighting for a More Inclusive Finish Line

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of tyranny is for good men to do nothing."

That quote has always stuck with me—in life, and in running.

I’ve had the privilege of standing at the start line in Athens five times, the Acropolis rising behind me as darkness was lifted over the city. And I’ve had the pain, joy, and honour of finishing the Spartathlon—feeling my body break, rebuild, and finally hallucinate at the feet of King Leonidas. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.

But here’s what I can’t forget either:
As I looked around at my fellow runners—at aid stations, on the course, and at the finish line—I didn’t see many people who looked that different from me. And I asked myself a difficult question: Why not?

---

The Hard Truth

Ultra running is hard. Spartathlon is harder. No one earns that finish line by accident. But access to that challenge isn’t equal. For too long, the sport has quietly kept its doors half shut, not deliberately—to those without the money, the network, the cultural encouragement, or the role models who show you what’s possible.

Since I started ultra running I’ve seen talent, grit, and potential in runners from all walks of life.  So why aren’t they at that start in Herodion Theatre at base of the Acropolis? Honestly, since my first attempt in 2012 and attendance every year, but one since, as either a runner or crew I have not seen many non white middle men from Britian on that start line.

That’s why I want to launch “Sparta for All”—a campaign to open the gates.

---

This Isn't About Lowering the Bar

Let me be crystal clear:
This isn’t about handouts. It’s not about quotas. It’s about removing invisible barriers that have nothing to do with someone’s ability to run 153 miles in the Greek heat. I am proud to say as one of the founders of the most recent incarnation of British Spartathlon Team, its ethos and aims has always been about 

• Sharing knowledge that’s often locked inside exclusive circles.

• Providing mentorship from runners who’ve been there.

• Providing sponsored kt for the runners and crew

What is missing and what the initial aim of “Sparta for All” will be

This campaign will:

• Contact the many British based Ultra running organisation that have a specific aim of promoting diversity like  

https://activeinclusionnetwork.com/

https://www.rundemcrew.com/ 

https://www.blacktrailrunners.run/ 

and indeed any other any one can suggest

• Find out what the barriers from their perspective are, coz the last think I want this to be is a white saviour narrative.

• Aim to do what we can to remove those barriers

Why It Matters

The Spartathlon taught me things no medal ever could. It taught me that pain is temporary, but purpose is lasting. That finishing isn’t just about strength—it’s about belief, community, and the willingness to suffer with meaning.

I want more people to experience that. I want more runners to know that they belong at the start line, even if they’ve never seen someone like them at the finish.

Because the fight against tyranny—whether in history, in politics, or in sport—isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet choices we make. Like choosing to do something when we see that others are being left out.

This is me doing something.

Will you stand with me?
Sparta for All. Every Mile, Every Voice.

International Spartathlon Association response

 Further to my open letter to the ISA here I received the below response from a board member Panagiotis Bonelis

"Hi Rob,

The increase in participation fees for athletes from outside Greece this year happened simply because the cost of hotels in the Glyfada area of Attica has risen excessively.

However, if you break down the costs below, you’ll see that the pricing is fully justified.

The participation fee for all athletes is 450 euros.

So, the additional 800 euros charged to non-Greek athletes is broken down as follows:

133 euros per day x 6 days, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, transportation, insurance coverage, and accommodation in Athens and Sparta.

You might ask: Why don’t you give international athletes the option to choose their own accommodation?

Simply because:

We want to preserve the ‘magic’ of having all teams and nationalities gathered in specific hotels for the SPARTATHLON. Don't forget that SPARTATHLON promotes friendship and cooperation among athletes. We are not an impersonal event.

They won’t find anything cheaper with the same level of hospitality and benefits.

See here prices for the exact period of 25-30 September only for Glyfada

2 Things have in mind 

1) We want to preserve the ‘magic’ of having all teams and nationalities gathered in specific hotels for the SPARTATHLON. Don't forget that SPARTATHLON promotes friendship and cooperation among athletes. We are not an impersonal event.

2) We are not a company and we are all volunteers.

We do not have any profit form what we do for SPARTATHLON.

We are a group of ROMANTIC PEOPLE who loves SPARTATHLON"

I have known Panagiotis Bonelis since my first adventures in Spartathlon and I know what a good egg he and indeed all the volunteers are. As some people know I don't do social media, but to say I'm disappointed with the lurid accusations about the ISA  that have been banded is some what of an understatement. As Ultra runners we should be better than that. 

An open letter to the International Spartathlon Association

It is with a heavy heart that I feel compelled to write this blog. I am writing this in a purely personal capacity and not under the aegis of any organization. I want to highlight how long I have been involved in  Spartathlon and how that contributes for my request to allow the international runners to apply for the SIMPLE PARTICIPATION package. 

I have been involved with Spartathlon since 2011. I had just completed my first big ultra, the  Ultrabalaton , which was at the time, a 212km race circumnavigating Lake Balaton  in the west of Hungary. My fellow runner, Mark Wooley told me I had qualified for Spartathlon. I was amazed. I had heard of this race back in the 1980s, but I had never thought that I would be able to qualify for it, let alone run it. 

Mark put me touch with a bunch of runners from the UK who were similarly interested.  I felt quite privileged to be in such illustrious company. Back in those days social media was not so poisonous, and I soon corresponded with the likes of Allan Rumbles, James Adams, James Elson and the great Mark Cockbain. 

I entered the 2012 edition of Spartathlon at a cost of €400. In those days it didn't over subscribe like now.  In fact, Stuart Shipley, who created that years British shirts, told me that in Noughties you could apply for Spartathlon in late summer as there were so many places available. 

I arrived in Gyfada and did my best, but DNF'd at only 70km.  I didn't even get to Hellas Can, but I made lifelong friends.  Lawerence Chownsmith who pulled at a similar point to name one.

By 2013 I met Nick Papageorge who had been on the original expedition in 1983 with John Foden, but we both failed

In 2014 I featured in a film with Nick, Mark and a nurse called Angela.  There was some numpty called Dean in it as well, I wonder what ever happened to him.

In 2015 I finally finished.  It was also the first year I did the kits for the British Spartathlon team. The previous year Mark Wooley had got an energy company to sponsor the kit, but we were told off for having a sponsor’s name on the kits.  I got around this by not only providing two runners tops in white, but also red crew tops on which we printed the sponsors logos.  Ever since then the British Spartathlon Team have had sponsored kits free of charge to runners and crews. I am pleased to see that other nations copied our idea.

In 2017 we did a memorial top for John Foden and encourage every other national team to do the same.

In 2022 we went legit and founded the BST Community Interest Company, of which I am still a Director. 

One of the guiding principles of the BST is the spirit of inclusiveness that we took from the ethos of Spartathlon.  It even says on the BST website that to join the BST you only need to send a picture of you holding a British Passport, you don't even need to have one. We have had Americans, Italians and South Africans in the team. 

The British crews will help anyone on the road to Sparta with no fear or favour. I love the inclusiveness and everyone helping each other without the need for recognition or reward. 

Many of the British Team and indeed other international runners have booked their own accommodation for themselves and their crews. This is a bit sad as they miss out on the camaraderie  of all the runners and crews in the same accommodation. But due to the rising costs shown below it is understandable   It also saves the International Spartathlon Association the administration and costs of arranging  that accommodation.

This is the history of the "EXTRA" package cost (mandatory for ALL runners) since 2012:

2012   400 € 

2013    400 € 

2014     450 €

2015     500 €

2016     520 €

2017     520 €

2018     600 €

2019     600 €

2020     600 €

2021     600 €

2022     700 €

2023     800 €

2024     950 €

2025     1250 €.  

Thus, I am disappointed that the International Spartathlon Association have introduced higher pricing for non-Greek runners. I fear this will discourage participation in what is, in my humble opinion the best race in the world. To enter from abroad an international runners must pay the mandatory EXTRA package at a cost of €1250  It's a lot, and by far the biggest increase in Spartathlon’ s history.  That seems to be against the ethos of the race that Greek runners can apply for the SIMPLE PARTICIPATION package for €450 and the international runners have to pay an additional €800 for the EXTRA package

I respectfully appeal to the International Spartathlon Association to allow international runners to also be  able to apply for the SIMPLE PARTICIPATION package.

You are not as fit or as recovered as you think.

13/12

I flew out on the Friday before the race and wrote to myself on the flight to Barcelona that 

"The   race   is   tomorrow   and   I am  flying   now.   I   have   put   off writing anything for a while,   although I am not sure  why. Training dropped off three weeks ago instend of the intended one week taper. Unfortunately , I got his by my first cold in years. in the week before a race I tend to just do walking   and yoga. Chrissy and Nadia looked after me well, with plenty of  care, sympathy and comfort  foods. I recommend Nadia's Chicken soup. The previous week I was in Dortmund for a team meeting and  was so mentally tired I just rested. I think  that I am well rested and just need to focus on the race. The strategy is to maintain 8km per hour, tactically is to take a Maurten gel and a bottle of Maurten carb drink per   hour.  The direction   changes once every three hours which well break things up nicely."

Sounds great doesn't it? I even got one of the emergency exit seats with plenty of leg room

As Tyson used to say, "Everyone has a plan until they are hit in the mouth"

 

The flight and the taxi to hotel went well, then it all start to fall apart.  There was a Whatsapp group of mainly British runners and I foolishly assumed we were all in the same hotel.  Therefore I assumed we could have a pre race meal.  Nah....if you want that you need to organise better. Daysey was wandering about and Gill Thomas had gone to the poolbar which was closed. In the end Ian & Gill Thomas and myself spent a while wandering around a Spainish shopping centre before going to a Subway. GPS don't really work indoors and the digital guide were all offline.  Have you tried asking where Subway is in Spain.  They all think you are looking for the undergound trains.  I blame American cultural imperialism.  I aint never had a Subway before, so that at least was an experience.  Personally I would have prefered Tapas or a paella, but I am always happy to go with the crowd. Well unless they are Nazis and there is a lot of them about now. 

The next morning we all had breakfast and then got a taxi to the racetrack at around tenish.  The tables were first come first served. After getting my number I looked around and saw the Great Danny Hawkins.  I first met Danny in 2021 where he stormed to a sub 27hour finish at Spartathlon. Also there was Wendy Whertey who I last saw at the last Spartathlon. They were both supporting Mark Felton on his first 24hour. So we had a good little set up for the British team.  Then the Irish turned up, Anto and Anne and a couple of other runners.  A couple of other familar faces arrived,  Jon and Shirley Steele,  I have seen them in absolutely ages.

I was thinking this will go well.  The weather was ok, no wind or rain forescats.  I had my kit organised in my suitcase, so well organised that Danny commented on my bags of kit for each of the four six hours, plus bags for cold weather. I also had my food organised and Gill volunteered to preparing my  water bottles out.  

There was the usual annoying annoucer babbling away all the time.  You can give some  people microphne and they really won't shut the fuck up. 

The race started and I settled into my slow and steady pace.  I got told off for being to close to the inside and slowing the speedy runners down.  I moved out to land two and three and was not really in the way.  then of course some of the walkers were annoying me...it is what it is and one just has to go around them. 

I  had a few nice chats with the fellow UK and Irish runners  and the first turn around at three hours arrived with me noticing. the sun started setting and the temparture started dropping.  I added layers, but it didn't seem to help.  I had a super warm top in my kit as will as bin liners, but  I just didn't get them out and put them on. Lesson 1 use the warm clothes that you bring! 

At six hours I was starting to feel a niggle at the top of my right foot. At this point I had planned to change clothes, but I simply forgot.  Lesson 2 Change clothes on schedule!

At eight hours the niggle became a pain and I struggled to run.  I forced myself to sprint half a lap an jog the rest.  I was hoping the pain would go away. some time I find my body gives up telling me there is something wrong and pain single just disappers. No such luck this time.

I treated it with volteren, again this didn't work.  I was thinking the shoes was too tight and the laces where causing the issue, but perhaps it was the change in the foot structure after breaking my ankle last year. Either way I had a fresh pair of shoes in my suitcase.  Lesson 3 if you don't change shoes you won't know if that helps.

I moaned at Danny about the foot and he responsed with "it is a good job you are a tough old bastard then" I just didn't feel it though.^No idea where that inner core of toughness has gone. I seem to be  softer than a marshmellow at the moment.

By ten hours I was really done.  I kept trying to go so at least I would get a twelve hour time. but no metter I just couldn't get going.  It was really annoying and I just sat around shivering like the fat old man that I am. 

I took a trip to the airport with Daysey who like Ian had a great race and managed to get my flight switched so got home early. 

I have resolved to focus on 50km races and fast to shift the 10-15kg to get down to a proper race weight