London Marathon Young Athletes Camps at St Mary's

The Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC) at St Mary’s University, Twickenham hosted the annual London Marathon Young Athletes Camp in August in partnership with the London Marathon. The camp welcomed 80 of the best 14 to 17 year old endurance athletes in the UK to stay on the University’s Strawberry Hill campus. The athletes were selected from the London Mini Marathon and the English School’s Championships. The athletes took part in a range of activities including training sessions on the University’s world class athletics track, a steeplechase workshop, practical sessions on nutrition, and classroom based activities on mindfulness, anti-doping and physiology. Middle-distance runner and world silver medallist Hannah England was this year’s special guest. She led a yoga class and hosted a Q&A session with the young athletes. Other guests include Dave Bedford from the London Marathon and four times British Steeplechase Champion Luke Gunn. EPACC Coordinator Craig Winrow said, “The camp is a great opportunity for young athletes to learn more about endurance running as well as experience first-hand the world class training environment at St Mary’s. One athlete who was crowned this year’s English School’s Steeplechase Champion only took up the event after trying it with us for the first time last year.”