Member Spotlight: Christian Coles
No tricks, just treats for October’s Member Spotlight as we summon Christian Coles!
Whether he’s haunting the trails of Man v Horse or clocking frighteningly fast sub-3-hour marathons, Christian shares his running journey, favourite haunts, and what makes Alton Runners so spooktacular.
The Rapid Fire Five
- How long have you been an Alton Runner? 4½ years.
- Favourite race or route? Man v Horse (where runners compete against riders on horseback over roughly 22 miles of mixed terrain).
- Road or trail? Both.
- Ultimate post-run snack? Flapjack.
- Running in one word? Freedom.
The Deep Dive
What first got you into running? Originally, I started running purely to improve my overall fitness. I have since gone on to represent Alton Runners in both the Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL) and the Southern Cross Country League (SCCL), run marathons, and even win a 24-hour race at Sandringham alongside club mate, Rachel.
What is your favourite thing about being a member of Alton Runners? Without doubt, the community and friendship.
If someone was "on the fence" about joining a running club, what would you tell them? Just give it a go, because there is something for every running level.
Tell us about a running moment or achievement you’re particularly proud of. Running two sub-3-hour marathons in consecutive marathons, clocking them at Abingdon and London. It was an incredible feeling and a personal milestone I'm genuinely proud of.