A runner’s Christmas: Marc Scott

by FR Team December 22, 2018

How will Britain’s fastest 5k runner in 2018 spend his Christmas?

A string of impressive performances throughout the year showed why Marc Scott is one of Great Britain’s most talented long distance runners.

The 25 year-old won 5000m gold at the British Championshionships in June before finishing a strong fifth over the distance at the European Championships in August. His time of 13:23.14 in Berlin was the fastest 5000m by a UK athlete in 2018.

On the roads, Scott also recorded the fastest 5k in the UK this year after a superb 13:45 at the Mid Chesire 5k in August. It was, in fact, the quickest time since 2012 by a British athlete.

The Bowerman Track Club athlete also ran the UK’s fourth fastest 10k in 2018, clocking 28:57 to win the Trafford 10k in September.

A top three finish at the Liverpool Cross Challenge secured his spot on the GB team for December’s European Cross Country Championships, where he was the top finishing British athlete in ninth place.

Now at the end of the year, will the Richmond and Zetland athlete enjoy a deserving break over Christmas? Fast Running caught up with Scott to find out.

Fast Running: Will you train on Christmas Day?

Marc Scott: Yes I always do. It gives you a great appetite to eat lots of turkey afterwards.

This year I’ll be doing the Bury parkrun with my girlfriend and her family, just a steady run out with a good warm up and cool down.

FR: What about Boxing Day?

MS: Boxing Day will be a standard Wednesday’s training for me. This will be 70 minutes in the morning and a 35 minute run in the evening.

FR: Have you ever run a race over the Christmas period?

MS: Just last weekend I raced a local Poultry Run, that’s usually on the calendar (only due to the prizes) and then I am planning to target the Ribble Valley 10k on December 30.

It’s a good race to put a marker down and see how things are going after the festive period. You usually get a good bunch of runners going for quick times.

FR: What is the best running related present you have received at Christmas?

MS: The best present I have received is ‘Sneakerballs Shoe Fresheners’. There’s not a runner out there who wouldn’t make good use out of these!

FR: What is your favourite childhood memory of Christmas?

MS: Waking up to a mountain of presents on Christmas morning.

FR: Do you have a funny Christmas memory that stands out?

MS: There’s too many, one doesn’t stand out but there is usually a lot of laughter at home.

FR: Who are you spending Christmas Day with?

MS: I’ll be spending half the day with my girlfriend and her family and then we will travel up North back home to see my family for the rest of the day.

FR: What is your favourite food at Christmas?

MS: Pigs in Blankets and then on Christmas evening I love turkey rolls with salad cream.

FR: Will you be doing the cooking?

MS: No haha. My dad is usually the chef at Christmas!

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