S24H is one of the Romanian meeting points for ultra-runners. Our aim for the competition is to support and encourage ultra-running at the highest level, therefore it is included in the international ultra-running calendar and attracts the best ultra-performance athletes.

Since we are in Easter week, a symbol of sacrifice and dedication, we would like to announce you that the ambassador of the S24H 2017 edition is Andrei Nana – one of the most famous ultra-athletes in the world. Andrei Nana will be joining us at Timisoara during the September 22nd – 24th weekend, he will encourage us in everything that we do in Romania, he will give us advice on long-distance running and he will share his stories from the most difficult ultra-marathons in the world that he’s taken part at.

Here is the message of Andrei Nana to everyone involved in S24H, either organizers or participants.

For those of you who are less familiar with him, we invite you to read this interview. You will discover the reason why Andrei Nana is coming back to Spartathlon for the fifth time in a row, what is his inner dialogue in critical moments of the races, what are in his opinion the most important two features of ultra-athletes. If you have any other questions than the ones included here, we encourage you to save them for the meeting on September 22nd -24th, when you’ll have the chance to ask him personally. 

What was your first ultra-marathon? What memories does it bring you?

My first ultra-marathon was an unofficial one. I did not know, at that moment, about the existence of ultra-marathons. I only wanted to run 100 miles/160 kilometres because I was interested in the idea of submitting myself to an extraordinary effort. This was my beginning which now reminds me how nervous I was, I experienced both fear and courage. Now, looking back, I understand how little I knew.

From that moment on, how many ultra-marathons did you run?

I finished 27 official competitions of 24hours or 160+ kilometres.

What was the most difficult competition that you’ve taken part at and why?

It’s difficult to compare competitions because each of them has difficult elements, but I consider Vol State 500km and the Spartathlon to have been the most difficult to me. The Vol State because you need to run 500 kilometres, without support, over mountains and hills, in a climate where temperature rose every day over 43C, and the Spartathlon because it features a climate combination with high temperatures during daytime, cold nights and time limits that leave no room for mistakes.

For how many years have you been living in America and for how many years do you represent America at sport events?

I’ve settled in the United States in 1999 and I’ve started to compete for the USA at international events in 2012.

This year marks your fifth consecutive participation at Spartathlon, one of the most difficult competitions in the world, it’s a 246 kilometres run between Athens and Sparta, within a 36-hour time limit. How many ultra-athletes have achieved this performance? Why are you coming back?

Statistically speaking, the percentage of athletes who cross the finish line five times in a row at Spartathlon is much below 1%. It’s probably this value of less than 1% that motivates me. The reality is that Spartathlon makes me feel alive, it makes me feel at home, it makes me feel closer to divinity. To kiss the foot of King Leonidas’s statue in Sparta means so much to me. As a former serviceman and as athlete, the King is the model of what I want to be. A humble, strong, honourable man, able to sacrifice himself for those he loves, whose duty is to protect his country. Living in a world where politicians lie, deceive and dishonour all that’s pure, the King represents the virtue of an honourable commander. Being able to arrive at his feet and making another promise to come back again next year is the action that keeps me motivated for a whole year.

If you had to name 2 characteristics of ultra-athletes, what would they be?

Humility and determination.

How do you get over difficult moments in races, what is your inner dialogue in critical moments?

I accept pain as a part of life, I visualize it as a test. Before crossing the start line, I detach my own ego and for the next hours I become an action, a mission that has only one purpose, to cross the finish line. This way, there’s no possibility to fail because all negative thoughts are linked to me as a person but, in reality, my body, my mind and my spirit are united in an action that is different of my own person.

What are the lessons learned at the end of each ultra-marathon? Do you also apply them in other areas of your life?

Ultra-running is my life, it’s all I’ve learned, perfected and everything I experience during a race can be applied 100% to my marriage, to my work, to my life in general.

How do you maintain your sport performance? What is your routine, give us a few personal tips that could be useful to those interested on ultra.

I train very much, between 20 and 40 hours a week. I focus on running, never on my equipment or the products available for sale, when something does not work I know it’s my mistake and I try to find the answer within me. I usually train every morning before going to the office, that’s 2 to 4 hours per day and even more during week-ends. Many times I run all night, to keep my mind and my body in a state which is out of the “normal”.

What is your opinion on Romanian ultra-runners?

I know Romanian ultra-runners have an extraordinary potential. Generally, athletes who have seen “hard times”, those who had to work more or to endure more are those who have success in ultra-running. The big trap that Romanian ultra-runners need to avoid is the desire for fame. People who spend decades in sport are those not looking for fame…

What do you think about S24H? What is the potential of this event in Europe?

I can say without hesitation that, in terms of organization, S24H is a high-class international event. I am sure that it will soon become one of the most wanted competitions in Eastern Europe with participants from all over the world.

Andrei Nana was born in Alba Iulia and he is activating at present as a lawyer. His objectives became more and more ambitious with time and so he became a world class ultra-runner. He is a great supporter of ultra-marathon, he is the founder of International 100+ Ultra-Running Foundation, he delivers trainings through Nana Endurance Training and he’s also organizer of the Icarus Florida UltraFest event. He also supports with his entire trust ultra-running in Romania.