Commonwealth Gold for Johnboy Smith - Interview by Liza Mortimer

Set on the second day of the Commonwealth Games, where the men’s T53-54 marathon took place at 7am, 30th July, 2022 in the streets of Birmingham, is where Johnboy Smith won his first Home Nations Athletics Medal after competing in a 26.2 mile wheelchair marathon. Shortly after his win, Travellers’ Times interviewed Johnboy Smith to find more about the dedication behind the victory.

I asked Johnboy how he prepared for his win, to which he simply replied: “I prepared for this in any way I could”. After Commonwealth Silver on the Gold Coast in 2018, Johnboy Smith physically trained for 16 months in the back of his garden in a single garage containing exercise bands, medicine balls and a set of dumbbells. At 4am he would start with strengthening and conditioning exercises up until his children woke up. After a day with his family, he would get back to training in the afternoon. In the last 10 weeks of training he increased the intensity of his regime and was training every day, three times a day for two to three hour sessions.

Part of Johnboy’s approach to training includes making the most out of his environment to better his racing form. Where he lives provides a quarter mile long hill route to Formula 1 race track, Brands Hatch, and a cycle lane next to a dual carriage way with an estimated distance of 100 yards. Using his racing chair, Johnboy would train by going from top to bottom with 20-25 pounds or 10 or 12 kilos strapped to the back of the chair.

This isn’t a rags to riches story, instead it’s a story based on resilience and resourcefulness. Johnboy Smith describes himself as an “old fella from Kent who put his head down and tries to do his best”. His dedication and triumph is an inspiration to all who find themselves facing adversity. From his training to his state of mind, Johnboy believes that anyone can achieve what he has achieved. “It doesn’t matter what you are it’s about how hot the fire is burning inside of you” says Johnboy Smith – and there’s no doubt that the fire will continue to burn as Johnboy prepares for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

By Liza Mortimer/TT Features

(All photographs © Bela Varadi)

This article first appeared in the Travellers' Times Autumn/Winter 2021 Magazine