At just 17 years old, Libbie Joyce has already made a significant impact in the world of obstacle course racing (OCR). Growing up immersed in the sport, thanks to her mother’s passion for Spartan competitions, Libbie has navigated a path filled with challenges and triumphs. Learn more about the next steps in her journey in this edition of 10 Questions,
Introduce yourself to everyone once again and give little bit of your OCR resume.
I’m Libbie Joyce, I’m 17 years and grew up in the sport because my mom used to compete Spartans.
How did you find obstacle course racing?
Me and mom found OCR because in 2013 my mom lost her close friend to cancer and Claire was also my swimming coach. Then in the summer of that year I lost my friend Violet my school friend who I went to nursery. We started doing running races for charity and we found OCR. This why You will always see a V on my racing kit.
When did you realize that you were better than average and that you had a greater ability?
I wouldn’t say and think I’m better than average, when I first started I couldn’t run and oh my I hated the training. I have had amazing friends and my teammates from OMRM would take me out for runs and that’s what helped me fall in love with running. I’ve always found being on obstacles easy and everyone said you need to run. I released this when I went to the first Spartan kids world championships in America and omg I nearly came last. I was always doing well in the UK and getting on podiums but here in the uk we didn’t really have kids doing ocr at competitive. Because I love the sport I just came away with OH I have to work on my running now. It’s only been the last 2 years and moving into elite I can see the improvement and feel getting stronger, it’s taken a long time but my coach Jack has been amazing.
How did you find Spartan Race and what has that relationship meant to you?
Again I found spartan because my mom did them and just go along and join in. As I got good I would spent time with the elites because they all took the time in uk to speak to us juniors. I would look at them and think that’s where I want to be and to be a pro. As I got older the obstacles because easy and I use to just be able to hold rope and jump for the bell so I would then crave to be on the adult course. It’s not just the racing it’s spending time with our friends in the event village and spartan use to let me volly and help out. My favourite thing is when it’s summer and it hot and the event village is buzzing and everyone is happy after racing and everyone is friendly and supports each other. Spartan is my life and my home where I’m so happy.
How many countries have you raced Spartan Races in and how do they differ from country to country?
I’ve been so lucky and grateful because I’ve been able to race in so many countries for spartan, I think I’m up to about 11 now. Every spartan I’ve done in each country they all all different which makes them epic. Spartan made me fall in love with mountains like kaprun and morzine. In the middle of liwa desert I would say has been the hardest one and just wow but also scary when all you can see is Sand and more sand.
Hungary and Croatia in the town and the atmosphere of people relaxing in bars while cheering for you.
In uk at home to just be with everyone, my favourite uk venue is Henley because of the hills and woods.
Tell me about your latest news with Spartan and how did that happen?
Im so proud of this, to be the RD for the first kids European championships.
when spartan moved the kids worlds to China I was gutted for kids because China is a hard and expensive place for parents but I do understand why because they get 1000s of kids doing their races. Even when I was a junior I would say to spartan we need a European championships for juniors, so last year I spoke a lot to Matt and Giles and I even but a business case to them, which was nerve racking. Spartan then asked me if I would like to RD and help design the course and of course I said yes. I know this will be hard and I have so much to learn but I’m hoping my experience of all the years I have raced kids races I can help improve and delivery a challenging course.
I do believe spartan do care about the juniors and they want to grow the juniors and we are the future of the sport.
Now that you have stepped up to a Race Director, what is your goals and how is your research going? Also, how will your experience as a younger athlete affect the course?
Like I said I have soooo much to learn and lots of ideas. All spartan team have been brilliant and looking after me and teaching me the way and also listening to my ideas, hopefully over next few months i can have lots to shout about.
Thomas blanc has offered to give me tips because he knows how to
Put on an amazing courses. I always say when racing oh you can tell this is Thomas course 🤣 Justin who
Was the kids director I still keep in touch with and given me some good tips too.
My main goal out of this is to make sure each junior comes off the course with biggest smile and says when is the next race and to fall in love with the sport like I have.
Who are some of your influences at home in the UK and across the world?
My influence, that’s hard because there are loads. UK athlete is Andrea Berquez, she’s a team buddie and is someone who I want to be like and one day keep up with her. Has to be Nicole and Lindsay because who doesn’t want to be like them and be the best in the world, because I would like that and they are the most kindest, down to earth athletes you can meet.
My hero is my coach Jack and I really wouldn’t be the athlete today if it wasn’t for him.
Tell us about your training, how does it mix with school and what else do you do for fun and relaxation?
My training is 6 days a week with one day full rest which is on a Thursday because I have my job after school in my gym.
I in school full time and run most days and use my gym for strength work and grip. I have a rig in my garden which always playing on.
I have the most amazing friends and baker always makes it so funny, like most of time we just run and get lost.
We find obstacles which are like climbing trees, going over walls and fences we probably shouldn’t be going over 🤣 we do give my mom headaches.
My training is now starting to get more harder and I know I have to be more organised which if you ask my mom I’m not.
My favourite thing at the moment is running anything with hills or mountains. This winter I’ve been trying fell races on mountains and boy it’s hard but loving the learning, especially coming down.
What have we missed? What else would you like to share? The floor is yours.
Oh and I have my running buddy willow my dog, she never leaves my side and is so cuddly, my relaxing is normally curled up on sofa with willow with the biggest bag crisps.
