Heat is on for runner preparing for New Delhi race

Battling bitter Arctic winds and piercing rain, Logan Smith's training conditions on the North Norfolk coast could not be further from the humid, energy-sapping environment of New Delhi.

Yet this is a happy home for the distance runner from Cromer, who will head to India next month to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the World 50km Running Championships.

It is the 28-year-old's first international call-up, as part of an 11-strong GB & NI team preparing to tackle the brutal road race on the street of the Indian capital.

"I have made many sacrifices," the athlete says. "My social life is non-existent really but it is 100% worth it when you get a call-up."

Smith, who puts in 130 miles (209km) a week in training, says he is "fulfilling a lifelong dream" to represent his country.

But in a bid to adapt to conditions that he will experience in India, the runner has had to get creative.

He runs on a treadmill in the gym at Kelling Heath for up to an hour, wrapped in as many as five layers of clothing as well as a hat, snood and gloves indoors.

Within minutes he is sweating, profusely.

"You can feel the difference training in all those layers," he says.

"It is not fun. I would not recommend it to anyone, unless you are an elite runner but it is a different style of training. You have to try all the different one percenters to gain an advantage.

"Being in Norfolk in winter, you don't get anything like the temperatures of New Delhi (exceeding 30C/86F) but if I can try to replicate conditions here, it should help me adjust the body and try to get it working more efficiently.

"It is dangerous. Heat exhaustion is a concern. There is a lot of training that goes into it. It can go wrong and go wrong very quickly, so in terms of hydration, fuelling, sleeping, there is a lot of training that has to be adjusted and also race tactics too.

"I will have to pace myself carefully, factoring in how my body might react towards the end of the race," he adds.

Smith will also have to set a very early alarm. Race organisers have scheduled a 04:00 start time to combat the oppressive heat and humidity.

The Championships were originally due to be staged in December last year, but were postponed due to poor air quality at the time in the capital.

The 50km (31-mile) event comprises 10 5km loop runs on a flat road circuit.

British Athletics said athletes were chosen via expressions of interest from those who met the qualifying standards over marathon and 50km distances.

"We have been assured by the IAU (race organisers) that the air quality now meets the requirements," the authority said.

It added that the event was pushed back to March but if air quality worsens, the championships can be moved out of the city "to an area that is safer for runners".

Funding is another challenge, with some of the team receiving little money from British Athletics for travel and accommodation costs.

"I am happy to fund some of the trip myself," Smith says.

"I have sponsors and some very kind local people that want to help out but I have to make an athlete contribution to compete.

"It would be sad if it was a barrier to younger people from a family that might not be able to support a child that has been selected to represent their country due to financial constraints."

Longer-term, Smith hopes to work his way towards Olympic selection, either for LA 2028 or Brisbane 2032, which would unlock more funding via UK Sport.

"I see this event as a stepping stone, to gain international experience and get a feel for competing in and around runners at this level," he says.

"Some of the best (long distance) runners will be there and I will be surrounded by a team of experts and support from British Athletics to help me do my best."

His goal for his British debut in India is to "enjoy the experience and compete as best I can".

"I don't want to go there just to have fun, although I do want to have fun," he says.

"I want to compete well for myself, for my coaches, my family and also my country.

"To be able to go and run for Great Britain is the ultimate honour."

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