Jake Robertson: Running advice from a 2:08 marathoner

Jake Robertson is running the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday. He opened up about marathon running and how he approaches the sport

Madeleine Kelly October 19, 2018

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Jake Robertson is ready to run fast on Sunday. The New Zealand native is self-coached and relatively new to the marathon, but is feeling confident heading into the Scotiabank Toronto Marathon.

At a pre-race talk sponsored by Maurten and hosted by Blacktoe Running in Toronto, Robertson opened up about his training, lifestyle, and his future in the marathon.

Robertson made the move to Kenya with his twin brother at age 17 to train. “It was one of the first times seeing a pack of a couple hundred athletes running down the road. You have to beat every single one of them if you want to make your dreams come true. And that, in our first couple of days there, was a real eye-opener.” Robertson describes sharing a mattress with his brother when they first arrived, while they trained with some of the best in the world.

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11 year later, Robertson is the New Zealand national record holder in the marathon, with big goals.

In terms of pre-race nutrition, Robertson advises to avoid fibre, incorporate carbohydrates, focus on hydration and make sure you have a race time nutrition plan. “I’ll be taking two Maurten 320 bottles, and I’ll break up those bottles with a couple of gels.”

Robertson has worked with many coaches over his career, but has moved to coaching himself. “The benefits are that I no longer feel the pressure of reading a program and feeling like I have to do it. In the past, my motivation has gotten the better of me. As a professional athlete, we’re always so motivated that sometimes we can lose sight of common sense. One session is not worth two weeks.”

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When asked about why he decided to race in Toronto, Robertson replied that he likes to go where he’s wanted. “Chicago didn’t respond to my agent, and Toronto did, with passion. I really feel wanted here.”

If the weather co-operates, Robertson is hoping to run a huge personal best on Sunday. He’s not satisfied with his 2:08:26 PB and New Zealand national record from Japan earlier this year, and that makes sense. As an hour-flat half-marathoner, he’s likely got more in the tank.

Robertson will face Canadian marathon veteran Reid Coolsaet, and Canadian marathon rookie Cam Levins this weekend along with course record-holder Philemon Rono, 23-year-old Tsegaye Mekonnen, 22-year-old John Korir, and former Olympic Marathon Champion Stephen Kiprotich.

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