Whilst most of us only rush when we’re late, the Spartans have turned speed into a lifestyle. Since the theme of this issue is ‘time’, it only made sense to reach out to the fastest runners in Jersey – athletes who spend an unnatural amount of time sprinting in circles, hurdling over things and generally making the rest of us look slow.
We threw them some random questions – some about running, some not – to find out what’s going on in their heads when they’re not counting seconds. Read on to discover who thinks they’d outrun a grizzly bear, who despises beach runs and how many of them are, in fact, running from existential dread.
Top Row: Lucy Hunt, Evan Campbell, Steve Mackay, Tyler Johnson and Peter Irving.
Bottom Row: Jamie Oldham (who wasn’t fast enough to get his answer in by the deadline!), Antoinette Kyriacou, Olivia Allbut, Jess Troy and Will Brown
Lucy Hunt
400m, PB 58.50s
How did you get to where you are now?
I started out doing cross country when I was younger, but over time the distance I was willing to run became shorter and shorter, until I landed on 400m and 200m!
What’s the fastest animal you think you could beat in a race?
Maybe a baby giraffe.
Beach or road run?
Road run. The only time I ever run on sand is when Pete (our coach) makes us run up and down the sand dunes during winter training.
Favourite running route in Jersey?
If I do opt to go on a run somewhere other than the track, I like Queen’s Valley or along St Ouens.
Trainers you swear by?
ASICS Novablast, 100%.
Resting VS Running Heart Rate?
I don’t actually wear a watch when I run that tracks my heart rate, so I could take a guess but it would probably be very wrong.
Favourite movie?
I am way too indecisive to answer this.
Favourite getaway?
Brighton for the weekend, for the shopping and restaurants.
What are you running from?
The giraffe that’s chasing me.
Evan Campbell
100m Hurdles, PB 15.06s
How did you get to where you are now?
Luck, obsession and gratitude.
What’s the fastest animal you think you could beat in a race?
An unfit cocker spaniel
Beach or road run?
Road
Favourite running route in Jersey?
Trinity back lanes
Trainers you swear by?
Nike Pegasus
Resting VS Running Heart Rate?
45ish vs 180+, I’m not built for long distance.
Favourite movie?
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Favourite getaway?
Budapest
What are you running from?
I don’t know yet
Steve Mackay
100m/200m, PB 10.80s/21.60s
How did you get to where you are now?
Hard work and having the right people believe in me. I started at 18 when my Tutor at Highlands brought me down in his own time to a race one weekend, and it all happened from there! He believed in me after a pretty good sportsday and I appreciate everything he had done that day.
What’s the fastest animal you think you could beat in a race?
Cheetah
Beach or road run?
Got to be at the beach!
Favourite running route in Jersey?
FB Fields Track
Trainers you swear by?
It used to be Nike, but now it’s Adidas
Resting VS Running Heart Rate?
Haven’t a clue, I just run fast
Favourite movie?
Tough one, probably anything Star Wars or both Top Gun movies.
Favourite getaway?
Can’t say
What are you running from?
Myself
Tyler Johnson
400m, PB 47.72s
How did you get to where you are now?
A lot of training
What’s the fastest animal you think you could beat in a race?
Currently probably a snail, back in the day a cheetah
Beach or road run?
Road
Favourite running route in Jersey?
The track but if not, St Aubin’s Bay
Trainers you swear by?
Can’t go wrong with Nike Pegasus
Resting VS Running Heart Rate?
49bpm vs probably 180bpm
Favourite movie?
John Wick – we binged the whole series at the Guernsey Island Games
Favourite getaway?
Anywhere hot and all inclusive
What are you running from?
Getting old and/or chores
Peter Irving
100m Hurdles/400m Hurdles, PB 15.02s/52.57s
How did you get to where you are now?
Hard work, determination, sacrifice, and a lot of time!
What’s the fastest animal you think you could beat in a race?
Well, that would depend how far, the longer the race the more I am winning ! Otherwise, anything that runs on two legs. Those four-legged animals will always win!
Beach or road run?
Trails!
Favourite running route in Jersey?
Railway walk or north coast paths.
Trainers you swear by?
Still searching!
Resting VS Running Heart Rate?
Right now, 46 vs highest when training 205!
Favourite movie?
Remember the Titans
Favourite getaway?
Camping
What are you running from?
The unstoppable marching of time!
Antoinette Kyriacou
Marathon/Half-Marathon, PB 2h 54min/1h 25min
How did you get to where you are now?
Years and years of consistent running.
What’s the fastest animal you think you could beat in a race?
Elephant
Beach or road run?
Road
Favourite running route in Jersey?
Green lanes in St Martins and Grouville.
Trainers you swear by?
Anything made by Nike.
Resting VS Running Heart Rate?
56bpm vs 134-165bpm
Favourite movie?
Anything with a good storyline and a bit of humour.
Favourite getaway?
Anywhere hot and sunny with a beach.
What are you running from?
My stress levels and sometimes (rarely) my 2 kids.
Olivia Allbut
400m Hurdles/400m, PB 61.1s/56s
How did you get to where you are now?
Lots and lots of hours at the track and in the gym!!
What’s the fastest animal you think you could beat in a race?
An injured greyhound…
Beach or road run?
Beach
Favourite running route in Jersey?
If I’m ever forced on a long run then I love going along the beach at St Ouen.
Trainers you swear by?
ASICS Novablast
Favourite getaway?
Skiing or summer holiday in Italy.
Jess Troy
Half Marathon/5k, PB 1h 25s/17m 51s
How did you get to where you are now?
A great coach and some great training buddies.
What’s the fastest animal you think you could beat in a race?
Hamster?
Beach or road run?
Road, sand is a pain…
Favourite running route in Jersey?
The lanes in Trinity around my childhood home.
Trainers you swear by?
Altras Vanish Carbons for racing!
Resting VS Running Heart Rate?
45bpm vs 177 bpm
Favourite movie?
Four Lions
Favourite getaway?
Anywhere with friends and good food.
What are you running from?
My troubles.
Will Brown
400m, PB 50.1s
How did you get to where you are now?
I’ve just stuck with this sport for a long time, since I was about 8 years old which means I’ve had lots of time to train!
What’s the fastest animal you think you could beat in a race?
Over 400m, I think I could beat a grizzly bear, but only because I think it would struggle on the bends and it may even be disqualified for moving out of its lane.
Beach or road run?
Beach run. I like running barefoot and the beach is nice for that.
Favourite running route in Jersey?
St Aubins seafront
Trainers you swear by?
I’ve always liked the Nike Pegasus trainers; they’re a great all-rounder for training and do well on the track.
Resting VS Running Heart Rate?
I’m not too sure, I don’t often measure heart rate. I would think that during some of our training sessions it would go very high, probably 180+. And the lowest I’ve seen my heart rate drop is 39bpm, but that was during sleep so not sure if that counts. It’s usually closer to 50bpm if I’m awake, I think.
Favourite movie?
A Knight’s Tale
Favourite getaway?
Somewhere hot where I can do both active things and relax as well. I like a location with mountains to hike on and beaches to relax and swim at.
What are you running from?
The grizzly bear of stress, sadness, and anxiety. If I’m not consistently going to the track and running, say if I’m injured or ill, my mood drops completely and I feel stressed and restless.
