My Sporting Life: Let’s Do This co-founder Alex Rose on running, rowing and why endurance sports should be open to everyone
Sports event entrepreneur Alex Rose on running, rowing and his desire to open up endurance races to the wider public.
What is your sporting passion?
At Let’s Do This we’re building the best place to find and book your next challenge – everything from 5k fun runs to double Ironmans. As a result I’m lucky enough to spend almost every waking hour involved in the sports I love.
I’m a passionate runner, cyclist and swimmer, and will take any opportunity to find new ways to test myself. I completed my first Ironman a month ago in Kalmar, Sweden.
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How did you first get into sport?
My early sporting career was unspectacular. I was a wimp on the rugby pitch and had two left feet. My sporting salvation came with rowing, which I suited largely on account of being lanky and not giving up easily.
It showed me how much sport can give you: being part of a dedicated team, a brutal training schedule, and the unbridled joy and pain of winning and losing.
Do you also participate in sport?
I only participate in sport. I’m a terrible sports fan, a trait I think I’ve inherited from my dad. Fortunately, having recently moved to San Francisco, my ignorance of US professional sport is general excused on account of being British.
What is your most cherished sporting memory?
Despite my confession of being a terrible sports fan, I’ve had a few lapses. I was foolish enough to arrange a date this summer that clashed with the end of the Cricket World Cup final and the men’s Wimbledon final.
I completely ignored my date for at least an hour whilst I switched between the two on my phone. Amazingly, she’s still talking to me!
Murray’s Wimbledon, Wiggins’ Tour de France win, and Mo’s double Olympic gold have to be my all-time top three.
What is your greatest hope in sport?
I’d love to see more people taking part in sport and in particular in endurance events. Signing up to an event like a 10k run with a measurable goal at the end is proven to be the best way of changing long term behaviour and getting fitter.
If you could change one thing about sport, what would it be?
Times are definitely changing, but I think a lot of people still find taking up a new sport intimidating. Sport is for everyone, and everyone started their journey as a beginner. If you run you’re a runner – it doesn’t matter how fast you run, and you don’t need to wear lycra or ride an expensive bike to be a cyclist.
Alex Rose is the co-founder of Let’s Do This – the world’s largest platform for mass participation sports events
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