The UK has some true ‘ultra’ running talent and Paul Navesey proved this last Saturday 13 December when he set a new 50K World Record on a treadmill with a time of 3hrs 5mins 37secs.
The previous record has been set by Stephen Courtney in Perth back in 2010, giving Paul a target of 3hrs 9mins 8secs to beat. In order to achieve this feat, he was going to have to hold a pace just above 16K per hour. At 26 years old, Paul has some fantastic race wins to his name, setting a 
course record at the South Downs 50 this year and picking up victories at the Sussex marathon and Farnham Pilgrims Marathon to name a few.
Paul is a member of the highly esteemed Centurion Running Team, which includes a depth of talent. The event itself was closely coordinated by the team at Profeet who invited a host of UK ultra runners to help aid the attempt. With two treadmills almost in constant use, it was great to see runners jumping in to help Paul with a run that he described as “mentally not enjoyable”.
Men’s Running had a chance to catch up with him and ask him a few questions about his record run.
MR: Was it nice to have other runners come and ‘pace’ you for sections of the run?
Paul Navesey (PN): Having people come and join me was great. Physically it was easier than a road/trail race but mentally not as enjoyable. I’m especially thankful to the chaps who jumped on the spare treadmill.
MR: How would you compare this to some of your other races this year?
PN: I really missed the racing feeling. It’s definitely the mental side of things that you struggle with most, but yeah, it’s cool to be the best in the world at something!
MR: What’s the big aim for 2015?
PN: I’d definitely like to replicate this sort of time on a road 50K but the main focus is on the CCC (Courmayeur Champex Chamonix) in August, next year.
MR: We have to ask, do you think you can go below the three-hour mark?
PN: I was pretty conservative early on so certainly think I’d like to give a sub-three a shot, but I don’t have any intentions to get back on a treadmill anytime soon.
MR: All the best for next year, Paul, and we look forward to seeing some more fantastic results. Well done again.
