Bar Manager Logan Smith: From Norfolk’s Coast to London’s Elite Marathon Stage
Logan Smith’s journey to the front runner’s list at the London Marathon is nothing short of extraordinary. A 27-year-old bar manager from Cromer, Norfolk, Logan’s story is one of grit, determination, and an unshakeable passion for self-improvement. Despite only having two marathons under his belt, he is set to compete alongside the world’s best distance runners in April 2025.
“I actually enjoyed playing football more than anything,” Logan admits. “Until about 12 or 13, I didn’t play much sport. But when I finally got into running, I loved the feeling of it.” His first encounter with cross-country running came with an unusual incentive: his school PE teacher promised him an afternoon off if he won the race. Motivated by this, Logan’s natural talent emerged, sparking the beginning of a life-changing journey.
From Schoolboy Runner to Elite Athlete
Fast forward a few years, and Logan’s dedication to the sport has seen him achieve milestones that most runners can only dream of. His marathon debut in Valencia in 2022 was nothing short of remarkable, with a finish time under 2 hours and 20 minutes. He followed this up with an even faster 2:15 in Frankfurt, securing his spot among the elite for London.
But Logan’s success hasn’t come without hard work. He attributes much of his progress to his coach, James Senior, who has been with him since he started taking running seriously at 18. “From there, each year we gradually improved, and my mileage got higher. The longer the distances went, the better I felt,” Logan says. His humility shines through as he speaks of his journey, emphasising that improvement comes from consistent effort rather than overnight success.
Training on the North Norfolk Coast
Training in Cromer has provided Logan with the perfect environment to prepare for gruelling races. “Cromer has everything you want as a runner — hills, trails, quiet country roads. The north Norfolk coast toughens you up, especially in the brutal winds,” he says. But now, Logan is taking his preparation to the next level with a trip to Kenya for altitude training, an experience he describes as “a chance to train with the best and focus solely on running without work or life getting in the way.”
Keeping a Grounded Perspective
Despite his rapid rise in the running world, Logan remains grounded. Competing alongside Olympic champions and the defending London Marathon champion could be daunting for anyone, but Logan’s perspective is inspiring: “I have earned the right just as much as they have to be there. I don’t want to let anything hinder my performance.”
Eyes on the Prize
As race day approaches, Logan is clear on his goals. While a personal best would be fantastic, his primary aim is to place well among the British elites. “London isn’t as fast as other marathons I’ve done, but the incredible crowd support can push me around,” he says. For Logan, it’s not just about speed but also the experience of running in one of the world’s most iconic marathons.
Mental Toughness and London Marathon Strategy
Mental Toughness and London Marathon StrategyLogan’s mental toughness is perhaps his most impressive quality. “I like to break the race down into 5k sections,” he explains. “During Frankfurt, I broke it into 3k segments too, which helped take my mind off any discomfort. I kept reaffirming that I had plenty in the tank.”
His excitement for the London Marathon is palpable. “The energy from the crowds is something I’ve heard so much about. Being one of the first few runners they see will be incredible. I just need to make sure I don’t let the adrenaline kick in too early!”
Logan Smith’s story is one of resilience, passion, and the pursuit of excellence. From his early days running in school for an afternoon off to competing on one of the biggest stages in the world, he is an inspiration not just to runners but to anyone striving to achieve their dreams.
Check out the full interview with Logan Smith below:
1. We understand running wasn’t your first love. Can you share how you got into it and what drew you to the sport?
“Yeah it wasn’t my first love at all, I actually enjoyed playing football more than anything. In all honesty, until about 12/13 I didn’t play much sport. More enjoyed watching it over playing it. Absolutely loved the feeling of running when I did get into it though. Most of the guys who were really good at school were ill/injured one year & my teacher believed I could win the school cross country and told me if I did win it then I got an afternoon off school, that was all the motivation I needed!”
2. When did you start taking running seriously and realise you had a real talent for it?
“I joined a local club to me a few months after I first got into running. I had enjoyed the school’s running so wanted to give it a go outside of school too. Dereham Runners was the club closest to me and didn’t interfere with football training. Went along there & enjoyed getting better. I was by no means the best or fastest but enjoyed feeling like I was improving and getting towards being the best I could be. Wasn’t until I was 18/19 and coached by my current coach James Senior where I started to take it more seriously and put some real work in outside of just training sessions. From there, each year we gradually improved and my mileage got higher. The longer the distances went the better I felt!”
3. Cromer has some stunning scenery. Do you often train along the beachfront, and what does a typical practice run look like for you?
“Cromer is great. It has everything you want really as a runner. Hills, trails, quiet country roads and places to train. I do a lot of my easy running around the local villages and often around some country parks. I don’t often run along the beach apart from in summer, the winds can be brutal! It really does toughen you up running along the north Norfolk coast.”
4. What inspired you to apply for the front runner’s list, and how did it feel when you found out you’d made it?
“I knew I wanted to be a part of London Marathon one day and when my first marathon time was under 2.20 I thought that could earn me a spot. I then chose to do some shorter races instead & do a different marathon at the end of 2024. This marathon I ran 2 hour 15 minutes & knew this would help me get an elite spot at London Marathon. I sent an email to them & when they came back offering me a spot I was absolutely over the moon! The race I had always wanted to do wanted me to be a part of their elite lineup! It was an awesome feeling.”
5. This is only your third marathon. What’s your personal best so far, and what’s your goal for London 2025?
“2 hours 15 minutes is my PB so far. My goal for London is to place well. London isn’t as fast as the other marathons I have done but hoping the incredible crowd support can push me around. I will aim to go off with a fast group of British elites & place well. A PB may come off the back of that but equally, if I place well but don’t run fast, I will be very happy!”
6. You’ll be heading to Kenya soon for training. What are you hoping to gain from the experience, and what do you know about the programme so far?
“I am going to Kenya to do some altitude training. Something I have never done before but know it can be good for me. A chance to train with the best and be around the best will be an awesome experience and give me the chance to focus solely on running for a few weeks without work and life stuff getting in the way.”
7. What’s your strategy leading up to the race?
“I will look to build my mileage up and add in some long marathon-paced sessions in the build-up. Going to Kenya will give me the chance to really dial into my diet and eat clean. Give me more time to do all the small things I may neglect at home such as stretching, core and resting.”
8. How do you feel about competing alongside Olympic champions?
“It is going to be a pretty surreal moment standing on the start line with some of the biggest names in the running world, but I have to put what they’ve achieved to the back of my mind once there and focus on myself. I have earned the right just as much as they have to be there and don’t want to let anything get in the way of hindering my performance.”
9. How do you stay mentally tough during a marathon?
“During the race, I like to break the race down into 5k sections & during Frankfurt, I broke each section down into 3k segments too. I will lap my watch at each 5k marker to get a more accurate reading of pace. But then I will also have a look at what my 3k split is to see if I am on pace. This worked well in Frankfurt as my mind was taken off any discomfort I was in and working out sums in my mind! I also like to keep reaffirming in my mind that I am feeling good and have plenty more in the tank. It is what I have worked hard at for the last 16 weeks, I know I can do it! As the race starts to get tough, I just start to think back to how many tough sessions/runs I have done which I didn’t think I would finish but did! If I can do those, then I can finish the marathon. Hopefully, in London, the crowd will help get me around too!”
10. How excited are you about the London crowds?
“So excited!! I have heard secondhand from so many people just how good the crowds are for everyone. So to be able to experience it myself and be one of the first few people they see, I know that is going to be giving some extra energy the whole way around. It isn’t something I have experienced before, at my local Norwich 10k there is a fair few people out for that in the last 1k but not the whole way around. I will have to make sure the adrenaline doesn’t kick in too early and I don’t go off too quick!”