Sporting spotlight: Chris Ansell

Published: 24 October 2023 at 15:13

Chris Ansell, Sports Facilities Manager showing a medal after a run

ARU Sports Facilities Manager Chris Ansell talks about his achievement of completing the 2023 Edinburgh Marathon.

Name: Chris Ansell

Staff, student, or alumni: Staff

Job title: Sports Facilities Manager

Faculty/Service: Estates & Facilities

In your own words, tell us about your sporting achievement or upcoming challenge.

I've been a keen runner since I first ran the Cambridge Half Marathon with Team ARU back in 2018.

Late in 2022, I decided that now was as a good a time as any to step the distance up and entered the Edinburgh Marathon 2023, which took place in May. I devised myself a training plan for the five months building up to the race and set myself an optimistic goal of completing the marathon in sub 3 hours, 30 minutes...

I completed the Edinburgh Marathon 2023 in 3 hours and 23 minutes, which meant I comfortably came in seven minutes under my goal. Everything went to plan on the day, and all of the training and preparation I've put in over the past few months meant that I was really able to enjoy the race.

I can't recommend both Edinburgh as a place and the marathon itself enough, both were brilliant to experience!

What would you say to someone to inspire them to follow in your sporty footsteps?

I personally find having a goal to work towards really useful. Having a race or event to work towards and build up to helps to get you out the door for that run or in the gym to train and makes every session seem valuable and hard to miss.

Be optimistic but realistic with your goal-setting, you'll be surprised what your body can do physiologically when you set your mind to it.



Chris is Sports Facilities Manager at ARU in Cambridge. Find out about our health and fitness facilities in Cambridge, Chelmsford, and Peterborough.