Footballer Justin Hoyte talks athletics

Justin Hoyte comes from a family steeped in athletics but decided his sporting life should take a different direction. spikesmag.com caught up with the Premier League footballer who plays for Middlesbrough.

If ever a man was born to run it is Justin Hoyte. His mum, Wendy, was a sprinter who competed for Great Britain at the 1976 and 1980 Olympic Games and still holds the British indoor 50m record. His father, Les, was also an ex-British sprinter and Les’ brother, Trevor, was a 200m finalist at the 1978 Commonwealth Games. Add to that his cousin is 2007 World Youth 400m champion Chris Clarke and his Godparents include none other than former Olympic 100m champion Linford Christie then it is little wonder Justin possesses a natural flair for sprinting. His brother, Gavin, too is also a gifted sprinter who currently plays with Championship side Watford. Read our Q and A with Justin below.

What your first your love football or athletics?
JH: It was always football, even though I used to go to the track with my dad, Les, who used to be a coach. But I always used to go to the track with a football, so it was always football. My dad always encouraged me to do athletics when the season was finished because it was a good chance to work on my speed. I would always do athletics to keep ticking over and give myself something to do.

Have you ever seen footage of your mum and dad compete?
JH: We found one on YouTube of my mum sprinting and I’ve seen footage before when I was little, but I can’t really remember. It was a long time ago. I actually ran in a little race against my dad and a few other athletes when I was younger and I’ve still got the picture of that at home. I finished last.

What was your biggest achievement in athletics?
JH: I would have to say reaching that English Schools (100m) final – I finished seventh or eighth when I was aged 16 or 17. I ran 11.01. I probably only trained for two weeks.

When did athletics start to take a back seat?
JH: After that English Schools final because then I went into football full-time. I had to give it (athletics) a rest and concentrate full-time on football.

How has your running background helped you in football?
JH: It helps a lot. For your general fitness and obviously you need speed in football nowadays, so it has helped me a lot.

Are you one of the quickest guys at Middlesbrough?
JH: I’d like to think I was. If I had a race I’m sure I’d win. Over a short distance I’m not the quickest, but over 100m I’m sure I would be.

Who are some of the other quick guys at the club?
JH: Jeremie Aliadiere is very, very fast. Alfonso Alves is fast as well and Robert Huth is quite fast as well over a short distance.

What does your running training consist of at Middlesbrough?
JH: We do running for fitness, a lot of short, sharp sprints and that is obviously something I enjoy. The long distance stuff is not normally my thing and I take a back seat. It kills me because I’m more of a short burst person.

Who is the quickest player you’ve ever played with?
JH: I would probably say Thierry Henry. He was quick off the mark and quick at everything he did. I did speed tests when I was at Arsenal and he was the quickest.

What do you reckon you could run today over 100m?
JH: I don’t know it would be hard to say. I think I would get under 11 seconds, definitely.

Do you still follow athletics?
JH: I follow the Olympic Games. My dad still watches all the athletics on TV but for me I’ll follow the 100m, 200m and the relays at the Olympic Games.

Do you have a favourite athlete?
JH: Well, back in the day it was Maurice Greene and Michael Johnson. I remember Michael Johnson had a very different technique so everyone else and his style of running was completely different. I remember Maurice Greene for the way he used to pace up and down before the start of a race. The way he used to psyche himself up and he was just a great sprinter.

What did you make of Usain Bolt’s achievements?
JH: I thought it was unbelievable. The 200m he was obviously trying but in the 100m it didn’t look like he was making 100 per cent effort. I’m sure as time goes on he will get even faster.

Okay then, a race between you are your brother, Gavin, who would win?
JH: I’ve always said when I was his age he was faster than me, so I think when he’s my age he’ll be faster than me. I think it would be a close race, but I still think I can beat him.

***Read about how Justin Hoyte and seven other sports stars have used athletics to reach the top in our latest issue of SPIKES magazine.