Indigo fitness sponsor british spartathlon team

IndigoFitness are pleased to announce they are supporting the British Spartathlon Team as they prepare to take on the 2019 event.

The Spartathlon has been described as the world’s most gruelling ultramarathon race.  Run between Athens and Sparta, it covers rough tracks and muddy paths (often it rains during the race), crosses vineyards and olive groves, climbs steep hillsides and, most challenging of all, takes the runners on the 1,200 meter ascent and descent of Mount Parthenio in the dead of night.  The total distance is 153 miles (246km).  It takes places once a year, usually on the last Friday of September.

The Spartathlon aims to trace the footsteps of Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger sent to Sparta in 490 BC to seek help against the Persians in the Battle of Marathon.

IndigoFitness wish all the British runners well in this year’s event.  Below are some profiles of the key team members, and you can find out more at

Profiles

Sarah Sawyer

A strong contender to well in the women’s race, she has posted 128 miles when winning the Crawley 24-hour race (to qualify for Sparta) and has also won the North Downs Way 50. She’ll be running the Al Andalus Ultimate Trail in July

Pete Jackson

Pete has some respectable race results: Second in the 2018 Thames Path 100 and second in the 2018 Reading Endure 24. He is also a sub three-hour marathon runner. He’ll be running the South Wales 100 in June.

Peter Abraham

Manchester pharmacist is a super solid ultra-runner who has managed to post a sub-16 hour 100 mile time and a 2.38 marathon. He’ll be running the iconic Comrades marathon in South Africa in June.

Paul Ali

Paul is a Sparta veteran with a long history in ultra running – he’s always at the top end of a race and won the prestigious Leeds Liverpool Canal race in 2017. Paul finished 9th at the Grand Union Canal race last in May.

Alastair Higgins

A top ten finish at Spartathlon 2018 puts Al in consideration for another great outing in 2019. He’ll be taking part in the West Highland Way Ultra in June

Ian Hammett

‘Hammy’ is a great shout for taking on Al for first Brit at Sparta – the pair of them could even push each other into the top three such is their quality. He regularly finishes top five in big races. He’ll be running the North Downs Way (August) and the South Downs Way (June) – both 100 mile races

Alex Whearity

Teacher Alex just won the 2019 GUCR last weekend and should do well in this year’s Spartathlon – he is coached by is wife Wendy who is a Team GB ultra-member. He’ll be running the Kennet and Avon Canal race in July and the Leeds Liverpool Canal Race in August.