Shanghai Running Magazine Volume 3 | Page 26

Runner of the Quarter
– Jonathan Bradley

do still pulls me through. In Shanghai
I just try to keep things ticking over.

Whilst living in China what has been
your favourite race and why?

How often do you run each week and
what is your weekly training mileage?

The shanghai runners events of
course! And I did enjoy the Jinqiaio
fun run as well because the atmosphere was what it should be - Fun!

Shanghai is so hard to run outside
and I don’t do gyms full stop. So motivation is a huge barrier. But I push
myself to do a minimum of 3 runs per
week and I walk as much as possible during the day. I am also lucky
to have found a group of runners to
go out with at a weekend and that
forces me to get myself out the door,
whatever the weather!

What are your current running goals?

How long have you been living in
China?
Two years.
How long have you been running and
why did you start running?
Twenty years. I started running to keep fit and found I enjoyed
it.
What do you love most about running?
Staying fit and an opportunity to be
outdoors. After a tough day at work
I go for a run to work through issues.
It helps clear my mind. Many times
faced with an issue I’ve gone for a run
and come back knowing exactly what
to do next!
We selected you for runner of the
quarter for your outstanding performance in the Gucun Park Half Marathon. A competitor in the 50 – 59
age category beating all the under 40
and under 50 runners is a fantastic
achievement. What do you put your
success down to?
I’ve lost a lot of speed over the years
but I’m sure all the training I used to

26

My next event is aptly named the
Moronathon, where a team of 6
will run for 24 hours. Last year we
clocked over 300kms as a team which
I thought was very impressive. The
majority of us are going to have a
crack at this again. Last year I got
an injury 24 hours before the event
started so this year I’m determined to
enjoy it more.

What has been your best ever running experience?
I have some great memories from
running so it’s hard to pick out one.
I do remember running the Jungfrau
marathon and the wheels coming off
and then 5 years later going back to
put matters to right and running a
stormer. That was very nice.

What has been your best running
experience whilst living in China?
I was on vacation in Zhejiang Province
and arriving late afternoon went for a
run that ran up and around the Yunhe
rice terraces. It was totally spontaneous but to be amongst the clear air
and countryside felt very special.

© Shanghai Running 2014

Do you have a favourite place to run
in Shanghai?
All my running alone is along the
Suzhou River as I can get there from
my home OK. With friends we sometimes go to Xuhui district and the
South Bund which has the benefit of
being traffic free. Last year I did a lot
of running on Changxing Island. A car
is a must to get there but it’s possible
to complete a 30km run non-stop
free of traffic. 

What do you like best about the
Shanghai Running Events?
The Shanghai Runner events are
easy going fun events. They are a
good work out with the support and
encouragement of others. 
Would you recommend the Shanghai Running events to other young
runners?
Of course!
How do you think Shanghai Running
could further enhance running in
Shanghai?
Keeping a fun relaxed atmosphere is
important whatever direction Shanghai runners events go in. No matter
ones level everyone should feel this is
an event for me. 

Interview by Mike Morris
Race Director-Shanghai Running