Maniac questionnaire
3/5/07
Name - Alan Morton
Maniac #473
State you live in: Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom
How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 398 (this includes 21 ultras)
What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) Canvey Island ˝, Essex, U.K. January 1958
What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Slough Marathon, Buckinghamshire, U.K., 1978…..It poured of rain, and I missed the train home.
How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? 29 years ago…..and I ran and still do for charity.
Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? Because I’m mad, and if you can’t beat them, then join them.
Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run? Antarctica
If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why? Lenore Dolphin, one of my favourite people.
What was you most memorable marathon and why? Comrades, 90K…..a long-time ambition achieved.
If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? Berlin (Germany), the world record course.
What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? Honolulu - 25 hours…..6 hours to airport and 19 hour flight.
Do any of your non-running friends or family members thing that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? What are some of their comments to you? They say I’m mad and other comments are unrepeatable.
If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? At 75 years old my limit is about 18, but I am at 12.
From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? The Final Brugge 20K in Belgium. Favourite marathon medal is Disney.
Where do you keep your finisher medals? 8 albums full, some around pictures, special ones in a glass cabinet and some on coat hangers.
Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear race T-shirts. It advertises races and obtains friends.
If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? In a deprived country and charge a high entry fee…..all for charity.
Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Maniac Black
What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Fish and chips.
What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Lucozade Sport
Which race would you never run again and why? Toronto. Poorly organized….not a good course….poor prizes.
What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why?
Four marathons in 8 days (Saturday, England) (Sunday, Wales) (Monday, Ireland) Sunday, New York)……all marathons
What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? 60 miles each week
Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? My dog….who knows his own way home and leaves me when he has had enough.
What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Asics ---- New Balance
What are your short-term running goals? Run regularly
What are your long-term running goals? Run for as many years as possible
Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Walking and bungee jumping --- parachuting
Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head)
Paula Ratcliffe --- Daley Thompson