MEET HOWARD DRACUP
MY BACKGROUND
I found running almost by accident around 2014, whilst recovering from some mental health issues. As time went by, I replaced the nights out with full days and nights out in the hills and it has now become a way of life.
COACHING QUALIFICATIONS
In 2019 I moved to Cumbria to be able to train more and become a better runner. In 2022 I started training to become a running coach: firstly, I did the UKA Fell and Trail Lirf (Leadership in running fitness) qualification; then I completed the UESCA Ultra Marathon Coach certification and finally the UKA Cirf (Coach in
running fitness) qualification.
Alongside my run coaching certifications, and in order to offer a fuller service to my athletes, I am currently busy completing my level 2 and 3 Personal Trainer certification, as well as training to become a summer ML (Mountain Leader).
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
Armed with these qualifications and my own personal learnings and experiences, I began to create my own coaching philosophy. I believe coaching is both an art and a science. It's a practice that involves a unique combination of knowledge, skills and experience. Effective coaching involves finding the right balance between the art, the science and the use of my intuition to understand, motivate and inspire my athletes. I also firmly believe that being coached should be healthy, enjoyable and fun.
OUTSIDE OF COACHING
Outside of run coaching, I work for Mountain Run UK as a 'running with poles' instructor, a guide and a sky running skills coach. I am also the Community Manager for SkyRunning UK.
When I'm not coaching or helping others to find a love for the sport, I like to run and compete myself, representing Team Montane.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AS AN ULTRA RUNNER
Some of my key achievements are: finishing 3rd in both the Spine Challenger North and the Spine Challenger South; winning the Beacons Way Ultra 100-mile race; breaking the record for the Steve Parr Round (subsequently broken); completing the Bob Graham Round; two Ultra Trail Snowdownia 100-miler finishes; 5th in the Vietnam Mountain Marathon; 5th in The Cheviot Goat; 5th at the Ultra
Trail Snowdonia 50-mile race (2019); 8th at Scafell Skyrace; 9th at the Cape Wrath Ultra and 17th at the Swiss Peaks 360km race.
You can also check out a full list of my races and results on ITRA.
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