In the hot seat this week is Macclesfield Harrier, Trevor Longman. For many of us novice fell runners, Trevor is one of the reasons we keep going back to the club fell runs. He greets you with a smile, makes sure you’re ok and keeps the banter going. A true gent ! 
Trevor is one of our ‘real’ fell runners – those who remember when races were £3 to enter and who doesn’t rely on fancy watches to navigate – just follow anyone wearing a local vest! 
He is indisputably one of our greats . . . over to the man himself;
He is indisputably one of our greats . . . over to the man himself;Q1: When did you start running?
TL: I had always enjoyed running, having won a school cross country, but started running seriously immediately after the first London Marathon in the Summer of 1981. I tried to play football as well but gave up football in 1982 to concentrate on running marathons.
Q2: How long have you been a Macclesfield Harrier?
TL: I moved to Cheshire from Leicester at the end of 1998 and joined Macclesfield Harriers in January 1999.
Q3 What has been your favourite race and why?
TL: Its the Stretton Skyline in Shropshire. When living in Leicester most of my fell running was done in the beautiful hills surrounding Church Stretton. I won the Stretton Skyline at my first attempt in 1985, partially helped by the three leaders missing the last checkpoint, but enjoyed the race so much I then ran it the following 12 years, usually finishing in the top 10 and having some great tussles with athletes still competing today.
Q4 What does running mean to you?
TL: I always found it a great way to relieve stress following a day at work. It gave me time to think about problems and how to resolve them. I now find it keeps me fit, whilst also keeping my weight at a reasonable level. I still get withdrawal symptoms, of a sort, if I don’t run when I know I could have done.
Q5 Do you have a top tip for runners?
TL: For runners that run for the social and health aspect then try to run regularly, perhaps a couple of times a week at least. For the more serious runner, who enjoys to race and wants to improve performance, there is no easy way. Unless you are a gifted athlete you will have to put the work in. They should endeavour to train at least five times a week. Each week combining a mixture of speedwork or hillwork and long endurance runs. Training with people who are your equals or even slighter better. Plan your week in advance, keep a diary and set targets. To be a good fell runner you must also be a good road runner. Run plenty of 5k-10k road races to improve speed, times and performance.
Something you may not know about Trevor – he completed the Bob Graham Round in 2000 and has assisted several others on their attempts.
Trevor has been friends with our experienced fell runners for many years and they often head off on holidays/running trips together. We did ask several of them if they had any stories from their trips that they’d like to share . . . apparently ‘what goes on tour, stays on tour’!