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Neil Staveley XMiles Ambassador

Neil Staveley - Ambassadors during Lockdown

Hi - My name is Neil, I'm a full time trail running guide based in Norfolk. I started running 5 years ago to raise money for charity, and got hooked, especially once I found trail running, this has become my biggest passion in life, and I have become less and less interested in running on roads. Since then I have raced in trail races all over the UK, with my favourite distance being ultras. A year ago I quit my job of 24 years to run from Switzerland back to Norfolk, to raise money and awareness for mens mental health. Unfortunately I picked up an injury 260 miles in which meant I had to put a halt to the challenge and return to the UK. It was then that I set up my trail running business Escape Trails so that I could share my passion of trail running with other people, but in typical me fashion I started a business and became self employed just before a global pandemic hit, so everything had to be put on hold for a bit.

What are your personal bests?

5k -  23:10
10k - 48:55
Half marathon - 1:58
Marathon - 4:36

What have you been doing during lockdown?

During lockdown I had to completely stop all my events for Escape Trails, but I kept myself busy and scouted out local routes that I could use once lockdown was eased. I've tried to continue running as normal and if anything I'd say I've been running more. I've also entered virtual events, which is something that I was never keen on before lockdown.

Did COVID-19 affect many events / training?

So far this year I've ran one race which was a half marathon in february, all other races I'd entered have either been cancelled or postponed. I'm hopeful that Wendover Woods 50 will go ahead in November, and my training during lockdown has focused completely on that. If the race does get cancelled I will probably end up running one of the local national trails.

How did you cope with training during Lockdown?

At first it was difficult to adjust especiallly the tight restrictions, which weren’t exactly conducive to ultra running, but over time I adapted and brought some home equipment and just kept on running.

How have you found being an ambassador for XMiles?

Because of lockdown I haven't been able to do as much as I would have liked, but have enjoyed reading the rest of the teams blogs, and look forward to meeting them in the future.

What do you have planned for the future?

Now that lockdown has eased a bit, I've been slowly getting Escape Trails up and running again, and I've found people are desperate to get out running. So my only focus at the moment is encouraging more people to get outside safely, and enjoy the benefits of trail running. Oh and |I might throw in a few attempts at the national trails if races don't start up again, and then once things do return to some sort of normal I will be returning to France to finish off the rest of my challenge run back to Norfolk.

About the Author
NEIL STAVELEY
XMiles Ambassador -

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