Winner of the Great Manchester Run Elite Women’s half-marathon, Eleanor Baker talks her running origins, her Manchester win and how to find a run-work balance.
Pre Great Manchester Run
Before winning the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run on Sunday and competing in other events. Eleanor Baker, 19, from Barnsley was a keen runner, who started running in Year 10 at school.
She says: “I started to keep fit but then I started going on four runs a week and taking it more seriously.
“I remember doing the Sheffield 10K in Year 11, I think I did in 47 minutes. After, I started training for a specific goal like a race.
“I used to watch London Marathon and think wouldn’t it be great to do that one day.”
Eleanor did her first half-marathon in 2022 in Southampton.
“When I started chipping away at times of one hour and 20 minutes, I started to take it more seriously. Additionally, I’ve taken the half-marathons to help tune my times down.”
The Great Manchester Run Win
Eleanor went into the half-marathon believing she could win it.
“Last year, I did the Sheffield 10K and got the course record. I wanted my progress to be linear and compete with the women and the men.
“On the start line I wanted to be in the top 3 and I wanted to beat the best time from last year.
“When I’m running I forget about the pace and I’m just happy in that moment.”
Eleanor was taken aback by reaching the finishing line.
“It was insane really. It was one of the biggest events I’ve ever run! There was 30,000 people running it and the streets were packed.
“It was a bit of an outer body experience. I don’t think you appreciate that all those people are screaming for you in that moment and it was really overwhelming.
“When I finished I burst out crying because it’s something that doesn’t happen often. I’m from Barnsley, I’ve never been massively good at anything in my life except doing my studies at Uni. So, finding something I really love and I’m okay at. It’s surreal for me!”
On Sunday, her winning time of 1:14:50 was almost three and half minutes ahead of second place (1:18:17).
“When you can put a gap between you and second. I remember doing my first marathon (Leeds) I hadn’t been coached and a man on one of the bikes said you’re twenty minutes in front. We’re giving you a designated person on a bike to help you with your run.
“It’s a nice feeling I don’t want to sound big-headed but it’s nice to know you’re winning quite comfortably.”
Socials
Her time at the Great Manchester Run saw Eleanor break her personal best from the Great North run of 1:16:05.
Eleanor’s mum is a huge reason for her running success and supports her during her races.
“My mum for me is the most amazing person on the planet. It was nice to be in Manchester have a bit of girly time and then we went for a pizza after the race and let it all sink in.
“She takes off all the pressure or nerves that I get regarding pacing and wipes it all from my head and makes me remember I’m here because I love running.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re first or fiftieth you are running with all those beautiful people and that’s all that matters.”
Eleanor is a huge Manchester United fan and passing Old Trafford kept her going.
“Me and my mum went to watch the FA cup final the day before and I said if United win there’s massive pressure to get a decent result tomorrow.
“It gave me a bit of confidence and I felt the stars were aligning. The route means a lot to me because all my family are United supporters.
“My Grandad died when I was quite young so it was a nice ode to my Grandad when I ran passed.”
Inspiration for young female runners
At just 19 to have won the Women’s half-marathon this weekend is no small feat. Her run is inspiring to young women across the country.
“My main message would be get active in anyway you can.
“I’ve had loads of messages from girls saying how inspired they were to see me running on that home straight. The last 400 metres and that means a lot for me.”
Training Regime
Achieving a running time like Eleanor’s takes a lot of different types of training and trains over 16 hours a week.
“It’s like an 80:20 split, 80% will be easy running going between six and thirteen mile runs a day. Then I’ll do half an hour of spinning on the bike.
“Then, I’ll do an hour to an hour and a half of weight training.
“Twice a week I’ll do speed sessions, doing high intensity matching match pace for ten to twelve miles getting a bit quicker to prepare for races.”
World Championships and Olympic Dreams
Eleanor aspires to representing Britain at the World Championships and the Olympics.
“It’s still a dream. I know I’ll get there one day. It’s a matter of waiting. I’d love to go to the World Championships and eventually the Olympics.
“Days like Sunday affirm that I can do it and I’m as good as GB athletes racing on an Olympic level.”
Eleanor admits that finding a sponsorship is essential to helping her focus on running and reach the next level.
“To compete and reach a high level in the sport. It’s one of the toughest things. There’s a lot of people competing with a sponsorship and I’m meeting their times but because I’ve not come through the conventional route not part of a club.
“Maybe I’ve not had recognition because of that. I’d love a sponsorship to alleviate the burden. So, I can finish Uni and concentrate on my running.”
Work-Run Balance Advice
Eleanor studies History and Politics at the University of Sheffield and balances running and studying by waking up at 4am.
“I get up and do my run at 5 get back in at 6. Go to my lectures and head to do my spin and weight training.”
Eleanor has advice for everyone to balance work and their outdoor activities.
“It’s about finding something you love whether it be running or otherwise. I love a plan or a to-do list. You need to prioritise time in the day. Treat it as important as handing in an essay or planning a meeting.
“Doing something for your mental health is vital and I’d encourage anyone to prioritise a time to get moving. Never be restricted by others. Comparison is the killer of joy. I’m guilty of it myself but I have to bring myself back to earth.
“If you compare less and just get out running you’ll love it more.”
Check out our other Great Manchester Run articles:
All you need to know about the Great Manchester Run 2024 – Nine to Alive
