The sprinting Smiths didn’t take long to master the art of medal collecting

Husband and wife Julian and Claire Smith have won so many medals in the past five years that, were the medals not imitation, the sprinting Smiths would be in possession of more precious metal than the average goldsmith.

The speedy spouses didn’t take up sprinting until a relatively advanced age, but are making up for lost time in style.

Claire (44) started road running in her 20s, entering 5ks 10ks and half marathons.

She was joined by her husband, but neither made much of an impression and decided long, slow runs were not for them.

Julian was the first to turn to sprinting, and started training with Enfield & Haringey AC when the couple were living in London.

They returned to Peterborough in 2012 and by then Julian had caught the bug and quickly immersed himself in the Peterborough running scene by joining Nene Valley Harriers.

Claire said: “After several years of trying to convince me I was built for speed I asked Julian what he wanted for Christmas in 2015.

“He said all he wanted was for me to try a season of running on the track. The rest, as they say, is history!

“I went straight into Tim Needham’s training group feeling completely out of my depth, but quite quickly got into the swing of it.

“Despite being at the back of the group, everyone made me feel welcome and really encouraged me.

“When I started I thought I would be too scared to compete and was terrified of being exposed on the track, rather than hiding in a pack on a road run.

“But the Eastern Masters League lured me in and I was persuaded to have a go at the ‘sports day for adults’.

“My first race was a 100m in St Ives and I won!

“I couldn’t believe it and had to stop myself shouting down the track at Julian to let him know (he was about to do the 100 as well).

“He, of course, just said ‘I told you so’.

“After several more races and personal best after personal best (PB), I entered the British Championships in Birmingham and came home with two silver medals in the 200m and 400m.

“The following year (2017) I won silver at 400m and bronze in the 200m.

“We then went to Denmark to compete in the European Masters Championships and I made both finals, finishing sixth in the 200m and seventh in the 400m.

“Julian had been to several international competitions and never made a final, so he was not happy! But he was very proud.

“The experience was terrifying, but hugely inspiring.

“Unfortunately the European Championships haven’t fitted in with school holidays since so I’m yet to make my follow up international appearance.

“But in 2018 I won gold in both the 200m and 400m at the British Championships. In 2019 I retained my 400m title and got a silver in the 200m.

“As it won’t be taking place this year, I’m pleased to say I’m still the reigning British Champion over 400m (over 40s).

“Next year I’ll turn 45 so will be the youngest in my age group once again, so there had better be a British Championships.

“I ran my 200m PB of 27.12 and my 400m PB of 61.46 in 2019, so I’m hoping there’s more to come.”

Growing up in Peterborough Julian Smith sprinted in his early teenage years, but became disillusioned and gave up at the age of 15.

Looking young for his age he found himself competing against six foot tall, bearded teenagers! He can also remember being part of a two-man sprint team with a combined age of 100 compared the other team’s 36.

But since starting to compete in the big events Julian has won bronze at the European Indoor Championships in 2016 in the 4x200m relay.

At national age group level he’s picked up a bumper six silver and bronze medals over 200m and 400m. He also has an impressive haul of five golds from South of England indoor championships.

“Winning a 100m heat at the Worlds in Lyon 2015 was a highlight for me, even though I got hammered in the semi final.” said Julian (50).

His 200m and 400m personal bests (PB) came in the summer of 2018 when he ran times of 24.60 in the 200m, and 55.10 for 400m. His 100m PB is a speedy 11.70.

With the Peterborough track currently closed the golden couple of Julian and wife Claire are missing their regular training sessions.

“ We have a fantastic training group of like-minded (bloody minded) individuals,” said Julian.

“The work ethic is amazing. You very much leave your ego at the door and get on with it. I don’t think I could live without the bizarre stories & dark humour that comes out at a training session. None of which are printable!

“Sports day was always my favourite day of the school year and I now get to have that day numerous times a year.”

Claire Smith’s enthusiasm for the group is equally strong. She stated: “The support of (coach) Tim Needham and our training group is hugely inspiring and motivating.

“A big shout out to my social distanced training partners - Dave Brown, Sein Reidy, Sean Garmory, Joel Stern and Rosie Jacobs. Most of us have continued to train as best we can during lockdown and haven’t missed a session, so we’ll be stronger than ever when races start again.

“My other big inspiration is my family, both my dad who I lost to lung cancer back in 2013, and who I know is with me every time I get into the blocks, and our kids Daniel and Eleanor who have grown up being dragged to the track for training sessions and league matches.

“They are always very proud when we do well, and are now members of the club themselves, and are looking forward to being part of the team again soon.”

Husband and wife have similar ambitions of continuing to get faster until they’re too old to do so , competing internationally again and leading the Peterborough Nene Valley masters teams to victory in the Eastern Masters League next year.