ATHLETE'S PROFILE 19
Name : Jez Brown
Club : Buckley Runners
Previous club : Manchester metropolitan university fell
runners (1990 to 1993)
Age: 41, D.O.B.: 03/07/1972
How long have you been competing : I ran as a junior, had
many years off, ran to keep fit in my early 30's, then started running
competitively in 2007. I trained for and ran the Anglesey marathon that year,
and haven't stopped running since.
Any other sports played : No time for any other sports !
I did use to enjoy golf and football, but if I have a spare hour now, would
prefer to run.
Other hobbies or interests : Reading, cycling, camping,
anything outdoors. I have two children so a fair amount of time involves making
sure they are entertained, enjoy their interests and being a taxi !
Favourite racing distance : Anything from 10k to 15 miles
or so
Favourite race and why : So hard to pick just one - there
are some great local races in the hills over the summer - Push up the PIncyn,
The Druid, The Beast, Moel y Gamelin, Ponderosa - many of which end up in a
pub, which is a bonus.
I ran the Borrowdale fell race last year, and the Manx
Mountain Marathon the year before which were great events, but I have to say,
nowhere as near as enjoyable as the variety of running in the fell races across
Snowdonia.
My favourite is the Peris Horseshoe - really challenging
17.5 miles, 8500 feet of mountains and amazing scenery - last years race was a
British championship race, which gave me the opportunity to line up with elite,
and inspirational fell runners from across the UK, and the route is an absolute
classic.
Favourite training session : Anything off road, and with
at least one hill. I do longer runs in the Clwydian Range, there is a 2 mile
stretch from the Llangynhafal side which
ascends to the summit (it's the reverse of the Jubilee Plunge race) which is
such a great climb - tough but enjoyable, and I usually try to get this in as
part of my run. The session I run most is all off road, on fields and
bridleways around Higher Kinnerton and Penyffordd.
Proudest moment - I have been very proud to represent
North Wales in road and cross country events.
One of my
proudest moments was winning the Penmaenmawr fell race in 2012, as it is such a
classic, and well established fell race, one of the oldest in Wales. I was in a
group of three coming down the last, very steep descent, and just threw caution
to the wind, coming in ahead by a few seconds.
Whom do you most admire and why : I have a lot of
admiration for runners in the very competitive V70 age category who run in
races and conditions that are very challenging, I hope to be able to be doing
the same myself in 30 years time. A lot of the V60 and V70 runners are coming
in well ahead of runners many years younger, which is very inspiring to see.
The achievement by John Morris, from Buckley Runners who ran 70 races last year
to celebrate his 70th birthday was amazing.
On an international level Haile Gebreselassie is a legend
- he is a similar age to me, and reminds me of how athletes can still be
incredibly strong and fast, with age not slowing you down too much. - just a
new age category.
Many thanks also to all the race organisers, and the
marshals who are out for hours in sometimes horrendous conditions.
Any personal ambitions : I would love to be called up to
represent Wales in a mountain running championship, or in the Snowdon
International race. I also plan to run some more of the classic fell races
across the UK over the next few years.
Any regrets : Not staying for the prize giving at the
Anglesey marathon
- I missed the opportunity to have this given to me by
the legend that is Colin Jackson. Never did get the medal either !
Any embarrassing experiences : I have had many
navigational embarrassments, as my sense of direction, and reluctance to stop to
read maps can lead to problems on the hills. The most embarrassing experience
to date is, having successfully got round most of the Peris horsehoe race,
mis-understanding which way the last, very large yellow arrow was directing
runners, and running down the road to the village rather than into the woods
and the finish line. I then had to run back an extra mile to the finish line,
past runners who had finished, head down in shame !
What changes would you like to see : It has been great to
see new fell races starting up over the last few years, more of these would be
good.
The challenges of putting races have led to some great
races not being continued such as the Farndon 10k, Chirk Castle 10k, Berwyn
Ras, Llety
(Tavern) race and it is a real shame to not be able to
run these.
Younger runners
and more road runners trying fell running would be good to see. The prices of
some of the road races are starting to rise to levels which will put a lot of
runners who enjoy regular racing No more than a pound per mile would be good to
see.
