Jack Oates - New XMiles Ambassador 2018

We would like to welcome and introduce Jack Oates as an XMiles Ambassador for 2018

Jack has made an impressive start to his running career and with podium places in trail, marathon and ultra races in 2016 and 2017.

As part of joining the XMiles ambassador program Jack will be sharing his experiences in both his past races and upcoming events in our Athlete Profiles

So who is Jack Oates?

Well I am a self confessed running nutcase to put it bluntly. The real challenge for me is seeing how far I can push both my mental and physical limits. I have always dabbled in a bit of running when I was younger to help me keep fit for playing rugby, but initially it was my dad who got me into running as he used to take me on runs with him when we were on holiday. However it wasn’t until I finished my A levels and started looking for a job that I found out how much I enjoyed it. So as the runs got longer and the mileage got higher I discovered this wacky thing called trail running, where you run up ridiculous hills ( more like mountains if you ask me) through the most muddy, slippery and boggy terrain, who wouldn’t want to give it a go!

So I entered my first half and ended up finishing 3^rd discovering that I was alright at this running lark, then a couple of months later my first marathon and finished 2^nd, it was only logical to progress to ultra marathon running to please my inner sadist. So now I don’t fear any distance!

I feel that if you can get the best from yourself in training, from your diet, your recovery as well as your running schedule, it will allow you to race even harder than you believed possible of yourself.

Achievements

My proudest achievements so far are being the 2017 UK middle distance trail running champion, my 2^nd place at the Classic quarter 44 mile ultra (my first ever ultra) and my 2:36 marathon after going out at a very ambitious pace and sort of clinging on in the end! I am only 21 so I am hoping to keep learning from all of these crazy experiences to help me go on to greater things.

2017 results

1^st place and a new course record at the Stort 30 mile ultra (UK middle distance trail running championships in October

1^st place at the Salisbury 54321 50k in August

1^st place and a new course record at the Queen Elizabeth Spring Trail Marathon in March

2^nd place at the Classic Quarter 44 mile ultra in June (my first ever ultra)

2^nd place at the Poldhu 10k in July

2016 results

1^st place and a new course record at the Meon valley trail marathon (my 1^st ever win!) in November

2^nd place and my marathon PB of 2:36 at the Portsmouth Coastal marathon in December

2^nd place at the Hampshire Hoppit trail marathon in June (my 1^st ever marathon)

3^rd place at the Queen Elizabeth Spring half marathon in March (my 1^st ever half marathon

Plans for 2018

First hitting the roads at the Southampton marathon in April and attempt to try and better my PB of 2:36. In July I am hoping to try and see how high up I can finish in the Snowdonia trail marathon and in September racing the Chiltern Wonderland 50 miler the furthest I will I have ever ran! I hope to do some shorter races in between as well!

Look out for my Athlete profile race reports over the coming months.

Cheers

Jack

Follow Jack on social media | Run Britain Ranking | Strava | Facebook |