Charlie Da’vall Grice is a household name in British Athletics. He has won six national titles including being the youngest ever British Champs winner of the 1500m in 2014. He has competed at the Olympics, World Championships and Europeans. Kate Matthews caught up with the Sussex talent to chat about his background in the sport, training and how he is dealing with changes following isolation and Coronavirus.
Kate: Who are you?
Charlie: Charlie Grice, aged 26, I run for Brighton Phoenix and my coach is Jon Bigg. I live on the outskirts of Brighton, close to Preston Park. It enables me to get out to run in Steyning which is my favourite trail and also be near the track.
Kate: What are your favourite distances/disciplines?
Charlie: 800-1500m, mix of speed and endurance. The 1500 can be a brutal event as you can be in fantastic shape but still get the race wrong tactically.
Kate: How did you get into athletics?
Charlie: I got scouted at a Brighton Schools Cross Country race where I won, joined Phoenix and never looked back since
Kate: Was the 800m and 1500m always your favourite or did you start in one and change later on?
Charlie: I started with 800 and slowly moved my way up to the 1500. I lacked the natural 400m speed for the 800.
Kate: What do you love/dislike about the sport?
Charlie: I love the travelling I get to do and the people I meet along the way. I love how there is no one else to blame when it goes wrong.
Things I dislike: How hard the training is! Lack of exposure & sponsorship opportunities for elite athletes.
Kate: What has kept you in it?
Charlie: I have a saying that ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ I have bounced back from every set back I’ve had. 
Kate: What is your most proud athletics' achievement moment?
Charlie: Being the youngest ever to win the Senior National 1500m Champs and that same season Making the Rio 2016 final.
Kate: What has been the toughest moment?
Charlie: Missing out on the World Junior 1500m Final in 2012.
Kate: How often do you train?
Charlie: 7 days a week, 60-70 miles per week total volume. 3 sessions per week. 2 weights sessions per week. 1 long run per week.
Kate: Have you had any bad injuries and how did you deal with these?
Charlie: I’ve torn my plantar fascia twice in my career and that is one of the worst injuries because it is a tendon it takes a long time to heal compared to a bone or a muscle.
Kate: Other than actual achievements/PBs, what has being part of athletics brought to your life?
Charlie: The ability to travel to some amazing places that I would have never dreamt of going to. I’ve developed a great work ethic that I believe could be transferred into many other areas of life
Kate: Best athletics memory?
Charlie: Watching the Olympic 800m final in London 2012 front row with Jon Bigg!
Kate: What would you say to younger people wanting to get started?
Charlie: To join your local club and to look at running as a social. I found it a great way to socialise with my friends and meet up for runs when I was younger. It became a way of life.
Kate: What would you change about the sport?
Charlie: Lifetime bans for drugs cheats. Enable more sponsors on athletes singlets. Modernise athletics competitions to make the sport more appealing to youngsters.
Kate: How do you juggle training/competitions around everyday life?
Charlie: It’s difficult at times but if you have people around you that care for you and what you to do well then that helps.
Kate: Favourite athlete (past or present)?
Charlie: Mo Farah
Kate: Any other favourites i.e. food, music?
Charlie: Pizza, Ice cream.
Kate: How are you managing to keep fit/train during Corona? Is it a lot better as the restrictions have been lifted?
Charlie: Like everyone else it’s been very difficult especially not knowing if I’ll ever race this season. But I set myself goals regardless of if races were going to happen we said I will get in shape for mid-end of August and do time trial races in training. We had to buy some gym equipment to workout at home as well. You have to adapt. It’s the same for everyone.
Kate: Have you missed doing competitions and how do you think this will affect your running etc?
Charlie: Yeah but I have a great group so we have been able to do some races in training to get something from the year.