EDITOR’S LETTER

ON THE FACE OF IT, THE two women runners we feature this month couldn't be more different. One is a 22-year-old sprinter from London whose races are over in seconds, while the other is a 51-year-old Derbyshire farmer specialising in ultra-long-distance challenges that can last days. But there are more similarities between Dina Asher-smith and Nicky Spinks than you might think.

We spoke to Dina after her three gold medals at this summer’s Berlin European Championships (page 34). Despite her success, Dina comes across as someone who is rounded (she has a history degree and loves to travel), down-to-earth and incredibly driven. As she says, ‘I’m a go-for-it kind of person.’

Nicky, meanwhile, possesses a level of grit that’s awe-inspiring. This year, she became the first person to complete a double Ramsay Round. The Ramsay is a mind-boggingly tough 58-mile circuit of 24 Scottish mountains, with almost 9,000m of ascent. Nicky did that twice. And what makes her endurance feats even more impressive is the fact that she has also beaten cancer. Read our feature on page 46.

So here’s to these remarkable athletes: while they might specialise in very distinct forms of running, they show us that with humility, determination and a deep love of what you do, there are no limits to what can be achieved.