LANZAROTE TRAINING CAMP – March 4th to 11th 2027

We are very fortunate on the Lanzarote Training Camp, we have many repeat clients who have joined us two, three, four and even more times.

Every now and again, someone arrives who instantly becomes a camp mascot and in time, a camp legend – take a bow Fred Streatfield.

Fred joined us for the first time in 2017 in his preparation for the 2017 Marathon des Sables.

” I first heard about the Lanzarote Training Camp way back in 2016, I was in MyRaceKit store in  Westclife-On-Sea Essex , I was buying kit for the 2017 MDS… I was told about the Lanzarote  Training Camp, so, I just thought it would give me a better chance to complete the task in hand and also maybe make me a better runner. So, my first camp was in January 2017, it was an eye opener, as at that time I had never done or took part in any ultra-marathons ever! Not bad for the young age of 66 – I just thought in my head I’d never be able to keep up with the others, but never underestimate how much a camp can help!”

“Our first run out was a 10k , basically to find out groups for the week as everyone was running at a different pace. That made things a whole lot better as I knew I was with people at my pace (great), after that I never gave it another thought and just got on with the job. Also, while on the camp I met a group of people who are still friends today and out of that is where I found my tent mates for the 2017  MDS.”

Fred immediately had a fan club. He has an amazing ability for people to like him and boy-oh-boy can he talk… So much so, he forgets to look where he is going and falls over. I am not joking, every year Fred has joined us, he has fallen at least once. Now normally, this is no big issue, but on his very first run, he cut his knee, we gave him some first aid but the bleeding struggled to stop… I remember Fred saying, “It’s probably my medication.”

“What medication Fred?”

“Oh, I have had heart surgery….” he says with a smile.

This is the legend that is Fred Streatfield.

“On the Camp I learned a great deal from what I needed to take on my journey ( Kit wise) foot care, nutrition, and humour 😂😂😂. Knowing I didn’t need to take the kitchen sink…”

Fred then went to Marathon des Sables and had a great race. He had quite the support network and the whole Lanza Camp cheering him on.

“And I did complete the MDS in 2017, it was thanks to the team of leaders and organisers of the Lanzarote Training Camp. It wasn’t the end of my Lanzarote journey though; I continued to go on the training camp for another 5 years, making 6 in all. Every year there were new faces and that meant more friends made. Also, the camp has had different coaches and this allowed me to gather more experience and learning. The camp has been priceless!”

Sunset run

Lanzarote Training Camp is not the same without Fred. Sadly, he had to miss 2024 but never rule the legend out. There is rumour he is coming back.

“I’m hoping that I may be able to attend 2025 Lanzarote Training Camp, well at the age of 73 I might just keep up, if not, I’ll sit by the pool. At the moment I have a health issue, so once it get this sorted, I can make the decision, hopefully it’ll turn out good for me and I’ll be able to go.”

I for one am rooting for the return of Fred and trust me, when in form, Fred has the pace of those many years younger. He is relentless and if you need inspiration to keep running, use Fred as an example. You will not go wrong.

“Hopefully, this year I have the Race to the Stones and the Atlantic Coast Challenge; you never know I might see some of you there? If anyone is doing MDS in 2025 or if you just love running, go on this camp!”

Here is wishing Fred a speedy recovery with those health issues and rest assured, we will have plasters ready for the first shakeout run in 2025.

Want to joins us in Lanzarote? Book HERE