From aspiring club runner to the World Championships: Josh Griffiths’ remarkable four months

Standing on the start line of this year’s London Marathon, 23 year-old Josh Griffiths of Gorslas, Carmarthenshire was hoping to run a time fast enough to earn his spot in the Wales team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. What happened over the next two hours, 14 minutes and 49 seconds saw the Swansea Harriers club runner produce the run of his life, to finish the fastest Briton in the entire race.

Josh, a virtual unknown prior to the race, shot to instant fame on crossing the finish line. Not only had he fulfilled his pre-race aspirations, his time was also good enough to secure his place in the Great Britain squad for this summer’s World Athletics Championships in London.

The S4C cameras have been granted exclusive access to film Josh as he prepares to line up against the world’s best marathon runners in the event in London on Sunday, 6 August. (Josh Griffiths: Mr Marathon – Thursday, 3 August, S4C – English subtitles available).

We caught up with the former Ysgol Dyffryn Aman pupil to gauge his mood ahead of the big day.

What were your hopes and expectations before the London Marathon, Josh?
I was hoping to run a Commonwealth Games qualifying time of 2 hours 16 minutes, but that was going to be a long shot. I’d need the best race I’d ever run to do it. But to come away with 2 hours 14 minutes and qualify for the World Championships really exceeded what I thought I could do.

What was your reaction to finding out your time for the marathon?
It was a bit surreal, (a), to beat the people I beat, and (b), to run that time. It was the fastest time by a Welshman in 21 years and I shocked myself and everyone else. I knew I was on course for that time, but even in the late stages I was conscious of just keeping going and not taking anything for granted until I crossed the line.

How much has your life changed since you crossed that finishing line?
As soon as I crossed the line I was thrust into another world completely. People wanted to hear my story whereas going into the race no one, apart from my family and friends, knew I was running. I’ve started to get used to it now and got back to training properly. I’ve not let it affect me too much.

Have you ramped up training over the last few months?
I haven’t changed too much because what I was doing for London worked. But at the same time I’m aware I’m going to a World Championships, so I have to up my game a little. I guess the main difference for me is seeing myself as a professional runner rather than a student who runs. It’s more of a mental change than anything. I think of myself now as an athlete rather than anything else. I’ve earned my place on the start line, just like everyone else and I’ll just try and enjoy having the home crowd behind me.

What do you hope for in your career beyond this summer and next year’s Commonwealth Games?
I’ve just finished my Master’s degree in Sports Coaching at Cardiff Metropolitan University, so up until now I’ve been a student, straight from school. I was looking for work around the time of the London Marathon but things have changed a bit since then.

It’s every club runner’s dream to make that jump into a career in athletics but it doesn’t happen for many. Now I just need to do everything I can to make sure it becomes more than a possibility – I want it to be my life. Marathon runners tend to peak at around the age of 28, so I’ve definitely got time on my side. I’m really excited about what the future holds.

Josh Griffiths: Mr Marathon
Thursday 3 August 9.30, S4C             
Available to watch on-demand at s4c.cymru, iPlayer and other platforms
English subtitles available
A Tinopolis production for S4C