Yorkshire Marathon Legend: Meet Pete O’Toole

As we get closer to the Yorkshire Marathon, we held a Q&A with Pete O’Toole, a Yorkshire Marathon Legend.

After running the Yorkshire Marathon 11 years in a row, Pete shared his insights into race day, his favourite memories on the course and why he still loves every mile to return year on year. Read on to get inspired ahead of the big day.

When did you start running? 

“Around 2006 to run a 10k with my wife Emma, then it snowballed from there into long distance”.

What made you sign up for the first Yorkshire Marathon?

“FOMO! It is on our doorstep. and I can see the start line from my facility (Technology Facility) in the University of York”.

What do you do the day before a marathon? 

“Chill and eat lots of pizza in the evening and a glass of red wine or Belgium beer, followed by crisps. Maybe not your typical carb loading, but there are carbs, sugar, salt, fat and leaves me perfectly set up for the long morning run”.

What would be your piece of advice for first time marathon runners?

“Do not forget to enjoy it. Take in the sights, enjoy the crowd, but do not let the adrenaline rush affect your pace. Keep it steady and relax”.

What do you treat yourself with after a race? 

“The pint of alcohol free Erdinger at the finish line, that is genuinely awesome”.

How do you fuel yourself during a race? 

“One to three SIS energy gels, if necessary, that is it. Pizza will still be in play for most of it”.

What’s your must have running song? 

“Alas, I do not have one. On training days, I listen out for specific birds calling at specific times of year. The first singing great tit in February,  the first chiffchaff of spring, the first Pink footed geese calling in Autumn. We usually do one run a year to see how many species we can count. It acts as a great distraction for the long miles, and plots routes around many habitats. Of course, all of this can be utterly ruined by Stu, another Yorkshire Marathon Legend chatting away, his company on the long miles is invaluable”.

How does running added to your day to day life? 

“As a morning runner, it is a great way to earn the dark chocolate that I have a weakness for later in the day! It is also great to know that you have that level of fitness and capacity to keep going, even when things get difficult”.

What’s your favourite Yorkshire Marathon memory? 

“Quite a few great memories, but also some dark moments when the plan has not worked out. Maybe not my favourite, but the most memorable was some years ago when it was outrageously wet! I am not fond of being soaked through and cold, but battling it out with Stu and his brother-in-law Jon, gives a unique sense of reward. The most memorable ones are not always the wonderful Autumn Day marathons that you look forward to most of all (fingers crossed this year), but the difficult ones that leave a sense of achievement. My marathon PB achieved at York in the early days was also very special.