Neil is the club's marathon man! His performances on the UK's roads in recent years have been superb. He has been part of the GB Marathon Team and goes on holiday with his coach and his family, find out more about Neil below!
Have you won any titles or been selected for county teams or major events?
Kent 5000m champion (2006), Kent marathon champion (2006)
M+M Senior Men's Winter athlete of the year! (2007);
Ran for Team GB in a development race in Toronto (2007) à 1st in international team event
How did you get into the sport?
I did no sport at school. I wasn’t allowed to play football with the lads, so ended up in the computer room. At 17 started getting into football, but was rubbish. Used to watch the results come in on a Saturday, every week, until my Dad told me to go and do something more productive. Went for a 2.5 mile run into the countryside as hard as I could, got tired, turned round and came back. Started doing that once a week. By 18 entered London marathon but didn’t get in, so ran the Paris Marathon for “Get Kids Going”, a disabled sports charity. 2 months later won my first race, the Harvel 5, then started being coached by James McNeill, who coaches Mike Coleman. Two years on started a PhD in Nutritional Sciences at Nottingham, so moved up and am now coached by his twin brother Andy McNeill. Previous to Morton’s Neuroma surgery I was regularly running over 100 mile a week and up to 130+ just prior to the marathon.
Who is your coach?
Andy McNeill (Long Eaton RC) –still running 10k in 33-34 mins and is a good vet. Won the British Vets Half Marathon in 2007 at Leek. A lot of my training I do with him
How often do you train?
Normally twice a day. One long one of at least 2 hours on a Sunday (just like in the 80’s!)
What is your favourite training session?
16 mile fartlek. 3 mile warm-up and 3 mile warm down. 49 minutes of faster efforts from 15min tempo, 10min, 5mins, 3’s, 2’s 1’s. Do on a measured 10 mile course. Start each rep at the place the last one finish. Aim cover the 10 miles of faster work in under 49 mins, off shortish recoveries
What is your proudest moment or biggest achievement in the sport?
First for GB at the Toronto marathon and seeing the clock saying 2:18something before I crossed it and thinking “Oh my god its going to be under !)
What are your current aims and targets?
Get back running and training consistently after surgery. Plenty of running. Keep on improving, can’t do much more than that. Although people will still criticise
What are your long term aims and targets?
Got no big headed targets, just to keep improving. Over the shorter distances also to help the ½ and full marathon.
Who is your athletics hero?
Dave Bedford (200 miles a week…legend….can’t knock him from trying it, many would!). Bernie Ford, Barry Watson and of course the legendary Barry Royden!!
What do you enjoy doing away from athletics?
Trying to speak Portugease, trying to watch more international films, cider. Going to different places in the UK and Ireland (especially Scotland)
What is your job or what are you studying?
Just finishing a PhD in Nutritional Sciences (although I work with food allergy)
Do any of your family compete in the sport?
No No No No, they come to races and shout very quietly, only managed to teach my Dad to shout so far
Who is your best friend in the sport?
My coach and his family I guess. His wife cuts my hair (not that often, hence the headband) and does massage. His 15 year old son is good to train with too. They also let me join them on their family holidays where it often turns into a training week!
Anything else you would like to add?????
Some Thoughts...Bang it out! AND If your not fast enough….step up to the marathon now!!