club profile - paul clayton

We spend 2km with the infamous PAUL CLAYTON, currently running challenged and Run Director Extraordinaire of St Lucia parkrun who gives us some insights to his running life.​

What’s your favourite way to spend a weekend?

• Parkrun, day with Fam at the beach, drinks with friends with some possible camping and boating

 What type of music are you into while running, if any?

• I am a mental head but when running listen to trace for the beat.(Scott Bond Gatecrasher) 

 What was the best running vacation you ever took and why?

• Running and vacation are mutually exclusive 

 Where’s the next place on your running travel bucket list and why?

• What part of mutually exclusive don’t you get?

 How did you get into running?

• I started running longer distances as part of my army training and have dipped in and out since (29 years ago)

What was the last race you’ve done?

• Twilight Half, about five years ago

 Would you say you’re more of an extrovert or an introvert, and how does it relate to your running?

• Extrovert would explain why I struggle with running because I am not fit enough to talk and get lonely

 What’s your favourite thing about running?

• The beer

 What annoys you most?

• Injuries

 What’s the running highlight you’re most proud of?

• Starting our parkrun and the people it has enabled me to connect with.

 Do you think you’ll stay at your current distance awhile? Why or why not?

• My current distance with the stress fracture is 0. I hope not to stay there but the body will decide, not me.

 What race is next for you?

• I am entered in the Noosa 10k but suspect I will walk 5.

 Are you more of a “run to relax” or a “run to get it done with” type of person?

• Run and relax are mutually exclusive as well.

 How much time do you spend running in a week?

• I was back up to 1.5 hrs but back down to 0 (sad react)

 What is your favourite regular course and why?

• St Lucia parkrun because our lovely growing community makes me happy on Saturday mornings

 Were you running growing up?

• Yes but it was sprinting. I was awesome over 100m and more so with a rugby under my arm.

 What is your definition of a perfect run?

• You start full of energy and someone says to you, screw that lets get a cold beer and you wander into the pub 2 yds away and end up on an all day session with your buddies and dogs

 What (running related) are you most proud of in the last year?

• Still our parkrun

 What runs makes you feel most accomplished?

• My half marathon in the army. Running as a squad felt easy and was a great team feeling. The whole thing in a cadence!! Looked amazing too (in formation). 

 Who (running related) do you admire most in the world?

• Sebastian Coe was a hero of mine back in the day. My wife always amazes me with her tenacity too

 If you were to win a race price money, what would you do with it?

• Fritter it away on beer and things I probably don’t need.!

 What race or run do you regret not doing in the last year?

• St Lucia parkrun

 What race or run is on your bucket list?

• St Lucia parkrun

 If you see a puddle on the ground, do you run around it, over it or get straight into it?

• Stamp in that bad boy

 If you could have a super power, what would it be?

• Ultimate strength

 If you could go back to anytime in history, where would you go?

• Medieval times, horses, swords, bows, drinking and dogs

 If you got to name a new race, how would you decide what to call it?

• I’ve got the runs

 What would be the title of your running book?

• I F*#KING hate running, but the dogs and people are nice by Paul Clayton