Clocking up the miles in a different kind of race
Guy the dad – pictured with three-year-old Bronte
Endurance is a way of life for motor racing champion Guy Smith. Every season he puts his body to the test with an arduous racing programme, but this year sees him taking on an altogether different challenge . . . the London Marathon.
Guy, 35, who lives in the hamlet of Bracken, between Beverley and Driffield, will be swapping four wheels for his own two legs on 25th April, when he runs the 26 miles and 385 yards on behalf of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, in aid of CLIC Sargent – a charity which cares for children and young people with cancer.
Guy said: “Running a marathon is something I’ve always wanted to do, but have never got around to. Places are quite difficult to secure for the London Marathon and race dates have previously coincided with the event, so it hasn’t worked out until now.”
This year the drivers’ club, which boasts more than 800 members, including famous names such as Jensen Button, Lewis Hamilton and Jason Plato, secured 10 places for the annual event and asked for volunteers. Guy jumped at the chance.
“It’s worked out really well this year,” said Guy. “My first race of the season is the second week in March, the London Marathon is in April and then Le Mans in June, so I’ve got time to get my training done.”
And preparation has already begun in earnest. Guy, whose most prestigious motor racing victory was winning the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 2003, already has a pretty strenuous training programme in place, consisting of mainly running, cycling and gym work, but he has stepped it up a gear to prepare for the prestige event, which has become an integral part of the British sporting calendar.
Clocking up the miles on the treadmill
Guy trains with Richard Chessman, an ex-paratrooper, who has run 10 marathons himself and who keeps Guy’s regime varied and effective.
“I’m constantly training, but this year it’s more running-specific to build up my mileage and speed.
“One week I might do five or six miles as fast as I can, and the next week concentrate on doing longer distances.
“This is my first marathon so I don’t have the experience to know how fast I can go or how long for without keeling over. It’s trial and error really.
“My main aim is just to finish the race – I don’t want to start setting myself times, but nearer to the date I might have a better idea.”
But for someone with that natural desire to win, it’s certain he will be pushing himself as hard as possible, not least as he will be running alongside nine other drivers from the club, including Oliver Gavin, Darren Turner and Andy Priaulx and he senses the atmosphere could get quite competitive on the day.
“I would like to do 3.5 hours, that would be really fantastic, but I’ll see how it goes,” he admits.
The charity chosen by the British Racing Drivers’ Club, CLIC Sargent, is one Guy is proud to be associated with, particularly as he is a parent himself, to three-year-old Bronte and Priya, just seven months.
“It changes your perspective on things,” he said. “Seeing children sick is the worst thing, so I’m more than happy to help raise money for the charity.”
Guy believes there are certain similarities between preparing for this event and his experiences of motor racing. Endurance and strength are vital components of a successful career which started in karting at the age of 12 and saw him progress through Formula 3 to the Le Mans 24 Hour race.
The racing driver in his more usual guise
He now drives in the American Le Mans Series for the BP Mazda team.
“I train for endurance and my body is used to exhaustion,” he said.
“But it’s the psychological part of the London Marathon which you can’t really train for.
“People talk of hitting the wall and I know from driving a car for four hours at Le Mans that there comes a time when you are surviving purely on adrenaline, so I imagine it must be a lot like that.
“My wife, Alicia, and my daughters will be there supporting me on the day and I will definitely need it for those last 10 miles.”
Two-and-a-half months might seem a long way off, but when you factor in the races and the travelling Guy still has to do before hand, the event will be here in no time. So is he concerned he won’t have enough time to prepare?
“I’m not worried really,” he said. “I can keep up my training while I’m travelling around and even though it will be a lot of hard work, it should be fun. The atmosphere will be great and to have people cheering you on must keep you going.
“My main concern is picking up an injury, but I can’t worry about that. I just have to carry on training when I can and, to be honest, if I can’t train for a couple of days because of a race, then that’s not a bad thing. There is such a thing as over-training.”
The British Racing Drivers’ Club’s main aim is to raise £5,000 per runner, so £50,000 overall for their designated charity and Guy is pretty confident they are on track to do so.
The motor-racing champion also holds a charity go-karting event each year in May and this year’s proceeds will also go towards the CLIC Sargent appeal.
He said: “The great thing about the London Marathon is that so many people put in a lot of time and effort each year in the name of good causes.
“They always keep smiling along the way, even though they might be really struggling inside. Some even dress up in those heavy costumes and others are just there to say they have done it. Just to finish the course is an amazing achievement.
“And people always give generously too. Even in these tough times people seem to find the money, so if we can raise the £50,000 between us, it will be great and will help children everywhere.”
So how is Guy feeling as the day gets ever-closer?
“Very similar to when I’m racing a car – it’s a mix of excitement, nerves and adrenaline.
“I’m anxious and nervous because I’m out of my comfort zone, but I’m excited by the challenge and am really looking forward to it.”
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