Ultrarunning World ROAD, TRACK & TRAIL MULTIDAY & ULTRA DISTANCE NEWS ISSUE 13 2 Ultrarunning World | 12 / 2018 Ultrarunning World | No.13 | August 2018

Editorial

y thanks to all the contributors and staff who have helped produce issue 13. Each issue has its own character andM for me this issue is about moving out of the long winter into the beautiful summer we have been experiencing this last month. In the ultrarunning world and especially in the multiday world things are buzzing with the 1000 km Mil Kil in France finishing last week, the first 6 day race in Finland just coming to an end at the Kauhajoki Ultra Running Festival, the Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race is at the halfway mark, Vol State starts tomorrow…Trans-Sweden starts next week – it’s all happening. Issue 14 will concentrate on multidays. There may be a Special Edition calendar issue in the not too distant future. Contents The House: Editor - Abichal Sherrington 4 News • Correspondents - Maria Bellini 10 Recent Races - Sarah Cameron 10 UK Recent Races • Staff - Marcella Dragan - Graphic Designer -Helen Hayes - Copy Editor 12 3100 Diaries • Photos nd 12 22 Annual Sri Chinmoy Front cover: Front cover: Kristina Paltén by Kincses Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race Ferenc, winner of the Women’s 6 day race in 15 Race Reports Balatonfured, Hungary, May 2018 featured in Issue 14 15 It’s Summer! Back cover: Arun Bhardwaj by Prabhakar Street 16 Iconic Ultra Finish Lines 20 100km Del Passatore Issue 12 cover photo credit. The identity of Italy’s most talked about ultra the cover photographer was discovered after 24 Trans-Korea 2016 publication. Artist Owen Delaney took the selfie 32 Snowdrop 55-Hour 2017-2018 back in 2016 and more of his work can be found 42 Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 on his website https://www.owendelaney.art/ 46 Imber Ultra - view from the rear 50 Convergence 2018 Ultrarunning World Website: Ultrarunningworld. Magazine co.uk 54 Running the Mind Address: 38 Shadwell Rd, E-mail: mail@ 58 Chester Ultra 50 Bristol BS7 8EP ultrarunningworld.co.uk Phone Number: Facebook & Twitter 60 Stan Jewell’s - 1960 Jogle 07923833719 72 Lifestyle We are very pleased to share this issue with the community and to bring these reports and updates on international and British events. We are very grateful to all the people who have 72 Sharing my journey to Ultra-Running kindly contributed their experience, time and energy to make this edition a reality.

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 3 News 2018 IAU Trail World Championship post race report

Championships took place on the weekend of 26th/27th May 2018 in Timisoara, Romania. The race venue was “Ion Creanga” Children’s Park in the heart of Timisoara, the 2021 European City of Culture. he International and 159 men that 08:53:41 This race promised TAssociation of manage to complete 5. Ludovic Pommeret to be a very exciting Ultrarunners (IAU) and the race. In addition we (883), France: 08:58:12 event with one of the deepest fields ever seen the International Trail recorded 23 and 34 team Women’s team results: Running Association results. in an IAU European 1. Spain (ITRA) are proud Results Championships and to provide results 2. France it didn’t fail to deliver. of the 2018 World Women individual 3. United States In the men’s race Trail Championships, results: 4. Great Britain among others we had organized by the 1. Ragna Debats 5. Sweden the current European Penyagolosa Trails HG (bib number 766), Men’s team results: Champion (Albi 2016) and the Real Federación Netherlands: 09:55:00 1. Spain Dan Lawson (GB) and Española de Atletismo 2. Laia Canes (738), 2. Great Britain in the Women’s race all and taking place in Spain: 10:11:11 3. France eyes were on Patrycja Spain in Castellónon 3. Claire Mougel (675), 4. United States Bereznowska (POL) Saturday, 12th of May. France: 10:15:23 5. Germany the current World Ragna Debats 4. Gemma Arenas Ragna Debats, 2018 Champion (Belfast (Netherlands) and Luis (753), Spain: 10:25:58 Trail World Champion, 2017). Alberto Hernando 5. Maite Mayora (775), Interview by Irunfar In total we had 183 Spain: 10:28:20 (Spain) were unbeatable Luis Alberto Hernando, Athletes representing over this challenging 85 Men individual results: 2018 Trail World 30 Countries with the km course, finishing in 1. Luis Alberto Champion, Interview by event being dominated 9 hours and 55 minutes Hernando (bib number Irunfar by Poland. However, this and 8 hours and 38 914), Spain: 08:38:35 wasn’t obvious until the minutes respectively. 2. Cristofer Clemente latter stages and during It was outstanding (879), Spain: 08:46:19 2018 IAU 24 the final few hours we event with fantastic 3. Thomas Evans (852), Hours European had the privilege to organization and very Great Britain: 08:49:35 Championship – post witness some incredible high caliber athletes. 4. Jonathan Albon race report racing. There were 104 women (911), Great Britain: The 22nd IAU European Individual Gold

4 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 News went to Poland in 2240.69Km of the race in 1999, performances by any both the Women’s Men Soochow University has standard. and Men’s race with 1. Andrzej Radzikowski hosted this 24 hours The World 24 Hour Patrycja Bereznowska (POL) 265.41Km race with passion and Championships in 2019 achieving a distance of 2. StephaneRuel (FRA) persistence. Every which will take place in 243.35Km and Andrzej 263.54Km year the race has Irdning in Austria on Radzikowski with a 3. Aleksandr Sorokin complemented local May 11th-12th and will distance of 265.41Km. (LTU) 260.99Km elite runners with include the WMA 24H international ones. World Championships Women’s Team However this time Patrycja was once again as well. More details on 1. Poland 720.45Km they will take another on the podium as she the IAU website. 2. Germany 656.24Km step forward and led her Team to Team 3. Great Britain would like to invite Gold with a combined 645.06Km all Asia and Oceania 2019 IAU 24 hours distance of 720.45Km Men’s Team Member Federations to World Championship along with team-mates 1. France 754.62Km participate in the event. event date confirmation Malgorzata Pazda- 2. Great Britain The unique atmosphere Porzoska and Monika IAU and LOC are very 735.15Km encourages the runners Biegasiewicz. This was pleased to announce 3. Germany 725.96Km to exert themselves followed by Germany that the 2019 IAU to the maximum to with 656.24Km and Race website: 24 hours World run further and LOC Great Britain with Penyagolosa Trails HG Championship will together with others th 645.06Km. 2017 take place on 11 - The Men’s Team event was won by France with a combined distance of 754.62Km. This was followed by Great Britain with 735.15Km and Germany with 725.96Km. Our thanks to Florin Florea the President of the Romanian Athletics Federation and Diana IAU Asia & Oceania 24 supporting the event 12th and will include Amza the President of Hour Championships will do their best to the WMA 24H World the Local Organizing The 18th edition of the maintain this. Championships. Committee for hosting Soochow International In the past the race Most likely the race will this event. 24 Hours race will be has seen two world start in the middle of Women the host of the IAU best performances, 3 the day and will have 1. Patrycja Bereznowska Asia & Oceania 24 continental and more an open race as well (POL) 243.35Km Hour Championships than 12 national best (still to be confirmed). 2. Stine Rex (DEN) which will take place on performances. The race More details on the IAU 241.92Km December 1st 2018 at records of 285 km for website. 3. Małgorzata Pazda- Soochow University. men and 255 km for Pozorska (POL) Since the first edition women are outstanding ■UW■

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 5 News Ultrarunning World News n the first anniversary of Salford, and Stockport stopping thenathanrae/ Othe Manchester Arena outside some of the A&E hospital Check out the videos from the run Bombing, May 22nd, Chorlton departments where the wounded on Nathan’s Youtube channel. Runners Club member Nathan were treated a year ago, Manchester Rae created a large scale “We Love Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe, If you feel inspired please donate Manchester” living art piece. He and Salford Royal Hospital. He to the North West Air Ambulance ran a 67 mile long route making a visited Old Trafford, Etihad using the JustGiving page. #WeLoveManchester heart across Stadium, Manchester City Centre, the city, 8 miles high and 8 miles The Trafford Centre, and had wide. He wrote “The attack was lunch at the Bowling Green Pub Western States sickening but I found our city’s in Chorlton. He also stopped at The 45th annual Western States response to it inspiring and hopeful. Manchester Arena finally finishing 100 race took place June 23 this I was just trying to capture a small around 1.30am. year and more than 300 runners part of that a year on”. set out on the 100.2-mile route Website: https://www.nathanrae. from Squaw Valley to Auburn on It took over 18 hours to run the 67 co.uk a course which features more than mile line to create the letters MCR Twitter: www.twitter.com/ 18,000 feet of ascent and 23,000 and the heart. The route wove its nathanrae feet of descent. Temperatures way across Manchester, Trafford, Instagram: www.instagram.com/ reached 106 degrees at the Rucky Chucky river crossing at mile 78. Jim Walmsley a 28-year-old runner from Flagstaff, Ariz. making his third attempt at the race finished first in 14:30:04 breaking the previous record of 14:46:44 set in 2012 by Tim Olson. Frenchman François D’haene was second in 15:54:53 and third was Mark Hammond in 16:08:59. In the women’s race, 22 year old Australian Lucy Bartholomew in her debut at the race led from the start until slowing at the 50-60 mile point where Courtney Dauwalter, also making her first appearance at Western States, assumed the lead pushed through to win the race in 17:27:00, becoming the second- fastest women’s time in Western States history. In second place was Kaytlyn Gerbin finishing in 18:40:19 and Lucy Bartholomew

6 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 News hung on for third spot in 18:59:45 Buckley Round. Comprehensive coverage by The route is a Irunfar.com circuit of 58 miles, taking in 24 summits with Lake Saroma 100K a total climb of Ultramarathon 2018 around 28,500 Nao Kazami set a new road 100 km feet. Ben Nevis, world record on the same course Great Britain’s that Takahiro Sunada ran when highest peak, setting the road 100 km world is included record of 6:13:33 twenty years ago. in the route Nao Kazami who has a marathon along with 22 pb of 2:17:23, came from behind other Munros a breakaway duo to win the Lake (Munros are Saroma 100 km Ultramarathon in mountains in a world record 6:09:14. Scotland over Race report by Japan Running 3000 feet high). News Originally, all 24 summits on the Ramsay New Double Ramsay Round Round were record set by Nicky Spinks Munros, but The Ramsay Round is a long Sgorr an Iubhair distance fell running challenge was declassified near Fort William, Scotland - one as a Munro in of three major mountain running 1997. The route challenges the others being the was devised Bob Graham Round and the Paddy by Charlie Ramsay as an extension to an existing 24-hour walking route, and first completed by Ramsay on 9 July 1978. Charlie’s completion created Scotland’s Classic Mountain Marathon. The aim is for participants to complete the route, on foot, within 24 hours. Runners must start and finish at the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, and may run the route in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction. Starting midnight on the 29th of June 2018, 51 year old Nicky Spinks became the first person to complete a double Ramsay Round in a time of 55:56:38. It is a Photo by Jay Lee more technical challenge than the

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 7 News

Bob Graham Round with some Earlier this year in May, Catra Palace, Don set what remains the very remote mountain sections, published a book, Reborn on the British 100km record in 6 hours, making it more difficult to support Run: My Journey from Addiction 10 minutes and 20 seconds. He a runner. Nicky struggled against to Ultramarathons (Skyhorse won the London to Brighton heat, exhaustion, sleep deprivation Publishing) which is available at in 1977-78 in record times. In and 57,000ft of gain relying on Amazon.com. 1977 Don set the world record friends and crew to keep her fed for 100 miles on a track finishing and hydrated. in 11:30:51 at Crystal Palace a A West Yorkshire farmer she 08/07/2018 Kilian Jornet takes an record that stood until 2002 when recovered from cancer that amazing hour off the Bob Graham Oleg Kharitonov ran 100 miles developed in 2006 and is raising Round 13:53 record set by Billy in 11:28:03. In 1989 he ran from money for the charity Odyssey - Bland in 1982 in an unofficial time John O’Groats to Land’s End – 844 for more details see her JustGiving of 12:52. Billy was at the finish to miles – in 10 days, 15 hours and 25 page. Earlier this year Nicky, congratulate Kilian amidst a big minutes, raising money for Cancer who is a brand ambassador for crowd that had gathered at the Research. Over his lifetime he ran INOV8, was awarded a British Moot Hall start and finish point. over 200,000 miles. Empire Medal to recognise her Don received an MBE award in 1995 achievements and contributions Don Ritchie, one of the greatest and his autobiography, The Stubborn within the sport. Scotsman – Don Ritchie: World For more details on her record- ultrarunners in the world passed th Record Holding Ultra Distance setting run read the INOV8 article. away on June 16 at the age of 73. The Scottish record holder for Runner, was published in 2016. Website: Ramsay’s Round many distances from 50km up to He is survived by his wife Isobel, 200 km began running marathons children Claire and Anna. in 1966 with his first ultra event, in More details of Don’s running Vegan ultrarunner Catra Corbett 1970, the 36 mile Two Bridges race. career can be found on the Scottish has set a Fastest Known Time In 1977 he set his first world record distance running history website. (FKT) on the John Muir Trail in in a 50km race at Epsom finishing California, USA. The 310-mile in 2:51:38. In 1978 at Crystal ■UW■ course known as the Muir Ramble Route follows the trail John Muir Photo Lee Procter/www.inov-8.com used when he first walked from San Francisco to Yosemite in 1868. The 53-year-old athlete had already set a previous record on the 212-mile course and finished the 310 mile MRR, closer to 323 miles due to diversions, on July 5th 2018 in seven days, nine hours, and 49 minutes. Source: Plantbasednews.org Catra already holds the FKT for the John Muir Trail yo-yo which she set in 2004 when she ran the 212 miles from Yosemite to the top of Mount Whitney and back in 12 days, 4 hours and 57 minutes.

8 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 6 DAY

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72 HOUR

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SEP 30 – OCT 6 2018 48 HOUR

ADELAIDE 6 DAY ──── The 6 Day makes a return to Australia! IAU Labelling Australia’s only 6 Day event.

Held on a loop around a reservoir the ──── event will feature electronic timing, full Discount catering, showers, and sleeping entry for quarters. Hungary 6 10% discount for participants in the Day Hungary 6 Day until July 14 2018. entrants

ENTRIES ALSO OPEN FOR Sep 29 – Oct 5 2019 Ultrasa.com.au

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+61 447550 010 Recent Races UK Recent Races 3/03/2018 200 starters, 166 finishers. Full 22/04/2018 2JOGLE Ultra results. Longhorn Ultra The longest point to point stage Set in private areas of Sherwood race in the British Isles, the 15/04/2018 Forest and the grounds of John O’Groats to Land’s End Pendine Sands Ultra Thoresby Park in north JOGLE Ultra and organised The Pendine Sands Ultra takes Nottinghamshire. Running over by Ultrarunning Ltd, started place in Carmarthen Bay on the old military roads, cleared tracks on March 23rd in the north of south coast of Wales. Two 16 mile through ancient woodland and Scotland. 6 starters attempted to loops along the Pendine Sands grassed paths around the country cover the 860 miles (1384km) beach to Broadwas and back estate on a 10 km loop. Event to Cornwall over 17 days, an towards the start along lanes with features events from 5k up to average of 50 miles (81km) a day. some off road running. The race the 60k ultra including canicross Fenchman Jean-louis Vidal was was won by Sanna Duthie in 4:43 options. Mens winner was Philip first to reach Lands End in in 185 and first man was Lee Zerafa in Nind in 5:10:29 and first lady hours 4min setting a new record 5:43. Full results. was Bonita Robinson finishing in by 29 hours. Second finisher was 5:55:47. 44 ultra finishers. Results Kenneth Chan (HKG) in 227hr 21/04/2018 of all events can be downloaded 24min. There were four DNF’s. Fox Ultra from the Longhorn page. The Fox Ultra is a 60 km race 14/04/2018 around Guildford in Surrey 28/04/2018 40th Calderdale Hike starting at the Wilfrid Noyce Bad Cow Frolic There were 175 entrants to this Centre, Godalming. Also A 4.4 mile looped course over year’s 40 mile Calderdale Hike featuring a marathon, half and a mixed terrain. This 12 hour event which started at Sowerby Cricket relay, the course is mostly on the near Corfe Castle in Dorset was Club and featured 6800 feet of Fox Way and is 30% road/70% won by Stacey Connolly covering ascent. First to cross the line this trail. The race was won by Charlie 14 laps in 12:07:44 with Richard year was Rory Harris in 5.54 Butcher in 4:44:19 and women’s Palmer finishing in 12:07:45. 250 followed closely by Ken Sutor in winner was Maryann Devally in starters. Full results. 5:55. First lady was Karen Nash, 5:59:09. 194 finishers in the 60k. 7th overall in 7:58. Results Full results 28/04/2018 Butcombe Trail Ultra 14/04/2018 22/04/2018 The Butcombe Trail is a 50 mile Wye Forest 50 Connemara Ultra mostly off road route around The Wye Forest 50 is a triennial The Connemara Ultramarathon six pubs in the Mendip Hills, a challenge. This walk is part of the is a 63.5 km road race in Galway, designated area of outstanding South West Triple Challenge in in the West of Ireland. The event natural beauty (AONB). Profits conjunction with the Cornwall first took place in 2004 and from the event go to the Mendip and Devon Wellington Boot now features a marathon/half Hills Fund, a community fund set and the Dorset Giant. The marathon and the ultra had 184 up to conserve and enhance the Challenge was won by David finishers. Ultra winner was Peter environment, communities and Wakeling in 12:03 and first lady, Abraham in 4:31:51 and first economy of the Mendip Hills. second overall was Lisa Joanne woman was Lucy O’Malley in The race starts at The Cider Barn Walbridge in 12:36. 5:17:57. Full results. on the A371 between Cheddar

10 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 RecentRace Report Races

and Draycott (BS27 3YB), km race ends, then continues 05/05/2018 features over 1,500m ascent and along the Tyne Valley to the The South Downs Way Devil’s has a 15.5 hour cut-off. Leigh finish at South Shields. In the 140 Challenge Horrell was first man in 7:47:30 km event Jon Davies was first The Devil’s Challenge is a three- and first woman was Cat Mills man in 15:59:01 and Kim Loney day, 97-mile ultra marathon in 9:42:20. Full results and Race was first woman in 17:33:58. along the South Downs Way, Directors report. 98 starters, 92 In the 70 km race Iain Twaddle starting in Winchester in finishers. took the top spot in 6:24:27 and Hampshire. The route heads first woman home was Helen south east through the South 28/04/2018 Clayman in 9:39:04. Full results. Downs National Park finishing Fellsman in Eastbourne in East Sussex. The Fellsman is a high level 05/05/2018 The race was won by Justin traverse covering more than Malvern Hills Ultra Montague in and 14:26:35 60 miles over very hard rugged An array of distances available Melissa Montague was the moorland. The event climbs for this event (38, 31, 23 miles) leading woman in 15:46:44. Sally over 11,000 feet in its path which starts and finishes Ford, who has an article in this from Ingleton to Threshfield at Abberley Hall School in magazine, was second lady in in the Yorkshire Dales. Most of Worcestershire for the 92 and 17:25:57. Full results. the route does not follow well 46 mile options. The event is defined footpaths. First woman open to runners, walkers, teams 06/05/2018 was Jessica Richardson in 14:01 of two or more and relay teams. St Illtyds Ultra and first man was Neil Talbott Darren Varley, 27:42:47, was The second St Illtyds Ultra winning in 11:16. Results. the only finisher of the 90 mile featured 100/50k events on a distance. In the 45 mile race mixed terrain course. Laura 28/04/2018 Steve Minnikin was the mens Kearney was first lady in the 100k 13th Highland Fling Race champion finishing in 9:28:47 in 13:42 and Thom Stephens was The Highland Fling is a 53 mile and Emily Lockley was first top man in 13:08. Full results. trail race which follows the West woman in 10:27:47,6th overall. Highland Way, Scotland’s oldest Full results. 13:08 09/05/2018 official long distance footpath 1st Pembrokeshire 180/100 mile from Milngavie to Tyndrum. 05/05/2018 Stage Race Used by many as preparation for 7th Thames Path 100 The Pembrokeshire 100 mile race the June 92 mile West Highland The TP100 is a 100 mile takes place on the Pembrokeshire Way race at midsummer this continuous trail race along the Coastal Path starting at Dale event sells out very quickly. Greig Thames Path from London to just outside Milford Haven to St Kyle won the race in 7:06:58 and Oxford. The marked course Dogmaels in Cardigan. first woman was Rachel Normand features 13 aid stations and a 28 The Pembrokeshire Stage Race in 8:22:23. Full results hour cut-off. 314 runners started takes the same route as the from Richmond Upon Thames at Pembrokeshire 100 but is split 28/04/2018 10.00am in hot conditions and the into 3 single stage sections with 1st South Tyne Trail Ultra attrition was high with only 58% of an overnight camp between each Two distances 140/70 km start thr starters making it to the finish section. The Pembrokeshire 180 from Garrigill, the full distance line. First among those was Peter mile race is a 5 day stage race 140km challenge follows the Windross in 15:49:25 and Therese starting in Amroth and finishing South Tyne Trail to the halfway Falk was the women’s winner in in St Dogmaels. point at Warden, where the 70 18:44:38. Full results. ■UW■

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 11 3100 Diaries

22nd Annual Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race June 17-August 7, 2018

he world’s longest certified footrace started on June 17th 2018 in Queens, New York with 10 international Trunners. The 10 runners including three women have to run an average of 59.60 miles a day to finish within the 52 day time limit. The 18 hour day finishes at midnight when the .584 mile course closes and the runners have a 6 hour break, resuming the following morning at 6 am. Throughout the day the runners circle the loop which finally amounts to 5649 laps. Runners are supplied with food and drink and a place to rest. Some runners have a crew to attend to their needs to reduce time spent not moving forward toward the 3,100 mile (4,989 km) goal. Sahishnu Szczesiul produced these notes about the runners for the race program.

Vasu Duzhiy 52, St. Petersburg Russia Vasu won the 2017 race in 46 days, 17 hours, his second victory. In 2015 he ran a personal best to finish in third place, reaching 3100 miles in 44 days+06:10:42. He ran almost three days faster than his previous best. He now has six finishes to his credit. He is ranked fifth all-time for 3100 miles. He is one of only five men to have averaged 70 or more miles per day in this event. He works as a foreman for a lumber company when not running long distances.

Smarana Puntigam, 47, Vienna Austria In 2007 Smarana ran his fastest time in the 3100, reaching the goal in 48:04:13:54. He had seven straight finishes at 3100 miles, and returned to the race last year after a nine- year break. He is still 17th ranked for 3100 miles, and is the Austrian record-holder.

Ananda-Lahari Zuscin 43,Kosice Slovakia Ananda-Lahari is a veteran of the sport with 18 multi-days and over 40 ultras completed. He is best known for completing the 3100 miler five times with a fastest finish of 49 days, 14 hours. He is ranked 24th for the 3100. In 2013 he finished second in the Ten Day for the men with 662 miles, a personal best. He has started the 3100 Mile Race thirteen times, and is looking for the perfect race. William Sichel 64, Orkney, Scotland William has been the consummate ultrarunner for nearly two decades, having run hundreds of ultras and many multi-days. He holds nearly 500 Scottish, UK, and age- group records. One of his finest efforts was his first 3100 mile finish, at age 60, in 2014, when he rebounded from a slow start to finish in 50 days+15:06:04, making him the oldest finisher in history, as well as the fastest UK finisher. He is 31st ranked all-time out of 41 finishers. He runs an import fabric business back home on the Orkney Islands.

12 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 3100 Diaries

Kaneenika Janakova 48, Bratislava, Slovakia Last year Kaneenika finished the 3100 in 48 days+14:24:10 , breaking the women’s world best by nearly 17 hours. She now has two finishes of the longest race. She won the Sri Chinmoy Ten Day women’s crown five times, including an overall victory and two course records. She holds women’s all-time best marks for 3000km, 4000km, 5000km, as well as 2000 miles and 3000 miles. In over twenty years of running, Kaneenika has completed eighteen multi-days and 41 ultras. Her many personal bests include 443 miles for six days, 727 miles in 10 days, and 1000 miles in 15 days, 12 hours. All these marks are Slovakian national records.

Surasa Mairer 59, Vienna Austria In 2015, Surasa stunned the ultra world, and even herself, as she says, winning the 2015 3100 Mile Race for the ladies in record fashion in 49 days +07:52:01-at age 56. A veteran ultra runner whose career spans over 22 years, Surasa has completed 22 multi-days. She is still the women’s world record holder for 1000 km, 700 miles, and 1300 miles. She has two wins and three finishes in the 3100. She works as an executive secretary when not running long distances.

Yolanda Holder 60, Corona, CA. USA Yolanda is the fastest female pedestrian in the world. She completed the 3100 Mile Race last year in 51days+17:00:13, becoming only the second American woman, and eighth all-time to complete the 3100 mile summit. She has finished 6 six-day races, with a best of 410 miles, another record in her stack of achievements. She finished second- lady, eighth overall in our 10 Day race in 2016 with 622 miles. In 2015 she set a Guinness record of 340 consecutive days of walking 26.2 miles. She feels that she can far transcend her 3100 Mile time this year.

Sopan Tsekov 37, Sofia, Bulgaria A two-time finisher of the 3100 Mile race, Sopan has a best of 50 days+13:48:57. He has the distinction of being the youngest finisher of the 3100 Mile race, set in 2005, at age 24. Sopan holds many Bulgarian national records for his multi-day exploits, including 1000km and 700 mile times recorded when he was just 20 years of age, as well as the many splits beyond 2000km and 1300 miles all the way up to 3100 miles and 5000km. Sopan gives lectures on running the long races, and speaks about the inspiration that led him to running.

Kobi Oren 46, Tel Aviv, Israel In 28 years of running, Kobi has excelled at multi-day events. He has won three 6-day races and two 10-day events. Victories include: at six days in Greece (768 km-477 miles), France (739 km-459 miles), Norway (771 km-479 miles), 10 days in South Africa (1113 km-692 miles) and the winner of the Sri Chinmoy 10-Day in 2016 with 755 miles.

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 13 3100 Diaries

Ushika Muckenhumer 50, Salzburg Austria The winner of the 2002 Sri Chinmoy Ten Day Race with 631 miles, Ushika finished third in the Ten Day in 2015 with 625 miles, his best total in over a decade. He has been running for over 22 years with 40 ultras and 16 multi-days to his credit. He works in the musical instrument business.

Updates: After enduring high heat and high humidity between days 13-20 the temperatures have dropped a little though Yolanda has been forced to withdraw out due to blister issues which she has been carrying for some 1200 miles. Vasu Duzhiy and Surasa Mairer lead the race with everyone still in with a chance of finishing.

Men Name Day 23 Cushion Vasu Duzhiy 1610.7 240 Kobi Oren 1578.3 208 Sopan Tsekov 1391.7 21 Ushika Muckenhumer 1379.6 9 Smarana Puntigam 1375.8 5 William Sichel 1341.2 -24 Ananda-Lahari Zuscin 1319.8 -51

Women Name Day 23 Surasa Mairer 1388.4 18 Kaneenika Janakova 1325.9 -45 Yolanda Holder 1210.6 Withdrawn

The Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race is an invitational race. However anyone who has run a 6 or 10 day or who has demonstrated a capacity to be able to complete the distance race can apply for consideration. There is a field limit of 14. • Follow the race on srichinmoyraces.org where there’s a live cam. • Results are posted after the end of each day local time. • Utpal Marshall at Perfection-Journey produces a video every day throughout the race following the trials and tribulations of the runners as they extend themselves to their limits in perhaps the greatest annual running event the world has ever seen. • A photographer visits the race everyday and his work can be viewed at srichinmoyultraphoto.com • Send messages to the runners via email: [email protected] ■UW■

14 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 Race Report It’s Summer! by Mick Farrar it to 77 miles before my body forced me to stop. Having the mental strength to push on, to switch the pain off, is as important as having the strength to run the race. As for getting slower due to distance running? I’ve only got faster as my training runs and race distances have increased. In the last six months, during training runs alone, I have easily surpassed t’s summer!! The birds are take in less off-road than a few my 5K, 10K, half marathon and Iscreaming their little lungs out, laps of a football pitch and often marathon personal best times, my the fields are full of wheat, deer leap as flat. Some runners take part in marathon time by over 17 minutes. My race pace is slower, I adapt to around the countryside, bunnies the winter cross-country league each race depending on the terrain, are doing what bunnies do best races from 5K to 10 miles, often elevation and distance, but overall (seriously, they are everywhere), lots of mud and water, these races I am training at average pace crops are growing high and the do have a higher injury rate and way faster than when I was only trails are dry. Why would you not are very different to the trail races concentrating on road and speed. be out running along the ancient and long ultra-races that require There is no easy way to train the tracks and trails that criss-cross genuine stamina and a little more mind other than to push yourself this beautiful Isle? Maybe there are than a few gels to reach the end. For and keep pushing. Running with not enough cars? It may be that the many I’ve asked it’s all in the mind, other endurance runners helps, pollution levels are not high enough a 5k race is simple to picture and running long distance solo helps, or even that there aren’t enough train for, 10k is still very achievable asking for advice on forums and pedestrians to dodge? for most runners but when you Facebook groups helps, taking I know a few people who won’t start focusing on distances such as walk breaks helps, stopping to eat run off the road, not even the 50k and 100k they find it harder and drink also helps, you will learn odd 5k, and the reason seems to to visualise, even when the race is to push through the barriers your be that they feel there is a greater broken down for them. mind places in front of you and risk of injury by running over So here’s the thing, for me at least, you’ll get stronger. uneven ground and by running since running long distances on So use the summer. If you are off-road will slow them down. trails I am a lot stronger runner. reading this and are already a On road, they persistently aim to My ankles are stronger, my legs are trail runner then speak to other better their speed, or to achieve stronger and my core is stronger, runners, encourage them to leave a new personal best, even to beat hell even my mind is stronger. I’ve behind the roads and the myths. If that person at the club that always had no real injuries in over two you are considering your first trail manages to overtake them near the years of almost constant ultra races, runs, find a friend and let go of the finish line. I guess I salute them other than by my own stupidity, prejudices, you’ll learn to run again, for their perseverance. But there tripping on a tree root at 15 miles even stronger than you thought are also clubs, based in country while running the Thames Path 100 possible. Go on, don’t towns, whose summer run routes and damaging my ribs. I still made disappoint the birds. ■UW■

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 15 RaceInner Report Journeys Iconic Ultra Finish Lines Sarah Cameron

personal Nirvana as they Race to the Stones - Avebury Photo courtesy Threshold Sports take their final few steps between the monoliths.

The 245km Spartathlon race follows the legendary route that Pheidippides is thought to have taken when he was sent to deliver a message from Athens to Sparti in 490BC. After battling the extreme Greek heat and mountainous terrain including an ascent of Mount Parthenion, runners tackle a 50-kilometre downhill very ultra marathon happen in a bit of a blur years, including segment that eventually is a unique sometimes no runner Roman river crossings, E leads them to the main journey into a realm of ever forgets that feeling Bronze Age hill forts street of Sparti. To uncertainty. Each runner of crossing the line… and neolithic burial culminate their journey who stands on the start and there are some chambers. It is apt that they are invited to kiss line will experience their finish lines that are even the race culminates amid the feet of the statue of own set of personal more unforgettable than the largest megalithic Leonidas I, the Spartan challenges and almost others. stone circle in the world. king who died fighting certainly undergo a Avebury was constructed the Persians at the Battle certain amount of Take Race to the Stones, in the Third Millennium of Thermopylae. The suffering. It’s for this for example. The route BC, during the New city turns out in force to reason that finishing an passes the enchantingly- Stone Age and is thought welcome the athletes as ultra can be an emotional named Field of Dreams, to have been used for heroes. Every finisher of avalanche. The arrival Grim’s Ditch, Dragon’s rituals and ceremonies. It the race receives a laurel to that finish line is Hill and Wayland’s is a place that still holds wreath and a goblet of inevitably met with relief Smithy, following the importance to pagans water from the Evrotas and it marks the end oldest path in the UK, and it attracts many River, much as Olympian of a significant journey The Ridgeway. Along tourists as well as the few champions would have that can sometimes have the route is evidence hundred ultra runners been rewarded in Ancient even been life-changing. of human existence who each year in early times. The national Although finishing can reaching back 5,000 July experience their own anthem of the winner is

16 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 InnerRace Journeys Report

with 16,500m of vertical, Spartathlon – King Leonidas I Source Wikipedia requires almost complete autonomy from its competitors as they tackle the gnarly, unmarked course. It is perhaps no wonder that there have historically only been 15 runners who have reached this particular finish line, which is a yellow gate with sign on it saying in bold capitals ‘Authorized vehicles only, do not block gate’.

However the vast majority of runners drop out or are timed out so also played. ram’s head painted on its the 40 available places, never get to reach the But unlike the flank, symbolising how including the recipient gate. Instead, on making unfortunate Pheidippides, the race is a tribute to the of bib number 1 who is their way back to the none of the runners have grit and perseverance of the ‘human sacrifice’ or start/end point, their to make their way back the hardrock miners who the runner who is least failure is very publicly to Athens, unless they lived and worked in the likely to finish one lap heralded by a bugler decide to impose on area. of the five-lap course. cranking out the tune themselves the ‘double The race, which is ‘ Ta p s’. Spartathlon’ -but that’s Grit and perseverance approximately 100 miles another story. are certainly two of the qualities needed to Hardrock 100 - The Hardrock Another race that even enter the Barkley terminates with a kiss is Marathons, let alone The Hardrock Hundred finish. No details of Mile Endurance Run. how or when to enter Having run a fraction are advertised publicly over 100 miles with but despite this the race around 10,000 metres of fills up immediately on elevation gain and loss the day of registration. over technical terrain in Applicants are required to the San Juan mountains pen an essay titled “Why of Colorado, in order I Should be Allowed to to complete the event Run in the Barkley”, pay a runners are required to $1.60 application fee, and kiss ‘The Hardrock’. This complete other quirky monument is a large requirements. Race block of stone-mining director Lazarus Lake debris with a picture of a decides who is awarded

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 17 RaceInner Report Journeys

Moot Hall is an attractive The flagship race of the stone building with a Eco-Trail Paris is the square tower situated 80km event, a relatively at the southern end flat run that traverses of the main street in woods and plains Keswick, Cumbria. It in the Île de France is perhaps best known region. The reward for for its unusual one- completing the distance handed clock, and is the chance to cross makes an unlikely the unique finish line finish line for an ultra. high up above central However, British fell Paris; after climbing 347 runners and increasingly, iron steps the runners ultra runners of other finish 57 metres from nationalities, recognise the ground… on the first it as the start and finish stage of the Eiffel Tower. of the legendary Bob Graham Round. Runners Staying within France, completing this tour of all the major endurance 42 Lakeland peaks are events that finish in more likely to be met by Chamonix offer runners a local with a flask of tea the reward of running Climbing the Eiffel Tower – Photo courtesy Ecotrailparis than a cheering crowd, down one of the world’s but this only adds to the most iconic finish chutes, charm and authenticity with cheering crowds Competitors in the Jagged peaks rise up in of the experience. mobbing the colourful Marathon de Mont Blanc every direction, flanked banner-lined barriers. and Ultra Trail de Mont by glaciers and pine Blanc festivals experience forests. International Moot Hall Billy Bland and Kilian Jornet Photo courtesy the buzz and support flags and sponsors’ NAV4/Stuart Smith of thousands of trail- logos line the way to running fans from as far the arch and there is as two kilometres out. tireless commentary The races here are over- crackling out from loud the-top and celebratory; speakers, interspersed this Alpine town knows with inspirational music. how to pay homage to For the male and female all aspects of mountain winners of the UTMB, endeavour. The entire Conquest of Paradise place throbs with energy by Vangelis is played, a during race week and goose-bump inducing Chamonix’s beating piece that anyone heart is at the Place de who has taken part or l’Eglise where the start/ spectated in the festival finish line sits somewhat will forever associate incongruously in front of with extreme feats of the picturesque church. human endurance.

18 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 InnerRace Journeys Report

Chamonix isn’t the only in the Moses Mabhida have a finish line at all. immense dedication and European town that Stadium, depending on The ‘Wings For Life’ a celebration of physical fully embraces its trail which direction the race challenges end when and mental strength. running history and is being run. Perhaps the the entrants are caught Whether the end of the provides an emotional most thrilling aspect of by a chasing car. The journey is symbolised by final run in. It can be this race is the strictly increasingly popular a rock, a roaring crowd the people who make observed cut-off time timed events are over or just some bloke in a the finish special. At the of 12 hours. The last not when participants flat cap quietly watching, Dolomites Trail Race person to meet the target reach a designated point the achievement is the thousands of spectators and the first person to as such, but when their same. await the arrival of fail, sometimes by only allowed time runs out. the runners, creating one second, become as In the UK, Centurion As William James wrote, a cacophony of noise famous in South Africa Running’s James Elson “Beyond the extreme of and colour. Although as the winner of the race. along with his friend fear, fatigue and distress, more of a mountain Fans of the sport will James Adams even we may find amounts marathon than an ultra, no doubt be aware that conceived the ‘world’s of ease and power we it is said that the arrival the Western States 100 most pointless race’ never knew we owned; at Zegama has some of also winds up with a lap which they named the sources of strength never the most enthusiastic of the track. The race ‘Piece of String’ because taxed at all because we crowds in the sport, with organisers say themselves runners would not know never push through their cries of ‘Venga, that this finish line is a how long it was going to the obstruction.” venga’ and the party powerful place to be, as be when they started. Ultra marathon races atmosphere which builds spectators can observe have provided the and builds during the a ‘juxtaposition of It is fun to be able to environment for many day until the last runner human performance and enjoy a unique, unusual people to push through is welcomed as loudly as exhaustion’. A 400-metre or particularly special their own obstructions the first. jog in may seem like a finish line at the end and realise their goals, formality after racing of a long race but as to complete the process Moving to another for 100 miles, but even every ultra runner of self-examination and mountain range, stage at that point the race knows, the reality of self-discovery that lie at five of the Everest isn’t a fait accompli. it is purely personal. the heart of why so many Trail Race finishes In a dramatic turn of It is the culmination of us choose to run so in Tengbuche where events, 2006 race leader of months or years or many miles. ■UW■ the arch itself forms a Brian Morrison got veritable picture frame, to within 200 metres The Gate – start and finish of the Barkley Marathon photo capturing the rugged of the finish when he courtesy Sherpa John Lacroix giants Everest, Lhotse collapsed. Somewhat and Ana Dablam within controversially, he was its borders. unable to reach the line unassisted so he was Perhaps the diametric given a DNF and the opposite of this would be race win went to Graham those ultras that finish Cooper. on a running track. Comrades culminates And then there are on either a racecourse or those races that don’t

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 19 Race Report 100km Del Passatore Italy’s most talked about ultra by Maria Bellini halfway point at Passo della Colla 1979 Il Passatore near start Florence di Casaglia at 913 metres - where runners leave Tuscany and enter the region of Emilia-Romagna. The race route then tumbles downwards along the road to Faenza, dipping through the small, proud hamlets of Marradi and Brisighella, and drawing to a close along the dozy outskirts of Faenza, only to finish in a rush of architectural verve in Faenza’s main square, Piazza del Popolo.

The 2018 edition of Il Passatore At this year’s event, which also happened to be the 46th edition; on May 27th – Italian, Andrea ove it or hate it. Italy’s 100km hundred kilometres, from Florence Zambelli, was first to cross the Ldel Passatore, is like the to Italy’s ceramics hub: Faenza. finish line in 6h54’34” in front of Marmite of Italian ultras. The route starts in Firenze’s Piazza nearly 3000 participants. del Duomo, in the city which Not only did he break the Taxi Often referred to as: “La Cento” was once at the core of the Italian driver from Rome and Italian (The Hundred), this ultra often Renaissance. It progresses steadily Ultrarunning icon - “King” Giorgio takes place in hot weather, and on up towards the hills, past stately Calcaterra’s - twelve year reign of occasion, ends up in hot water. villas with Italy’s ‘100km del Passatore’ is one manicured Aid station late seventies Il Passatore of, if not the most - talked about gardens, road ultras in the country. then it It’s an event which never fails to rhythmically divide Italian runners. There are winds those that simply detest it, yet there upwards are those that absolutely adore it, through returning year after year to endure Fiesole, and participate in this jamboree always of miles, scandal, suffering and climbing, endless sponges. gently but consistently, So what makes it so special? Many right up things, beginning with the route - a until the

20 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 Race Report

12 consecutive wins, he also spent of the bandit’s Il Passatore late seventies the best part the race battling it ‘generosity’ with out with Germany’s Benedikt those of lesser Hoffmann – yo-yoing between first fortune. So far and second place, right up until the so, that even finish line. The first woman across Poet Giovanni the line in 7h53’37” was Croatian Pascoli, in his Nikolina Sustic unbeaten for four poem “Romagna” years. referred to Stefano Pelloni - “Il What does “Il Passatore” mean? Passatore” as “il The race is named after Stefano Passator Cortese” Pelloni - known as: “Il Passatore” – “The Courteous (which translates to The Ferryman”. joining the wine producing areas Ferryman). He was considered to of Sangiovese (in Romagna) and be one of Italy’s most barbaric and Origins of the 100km del Chianti (in Tuscany). cruel highwaymen that roamed Passatore the eastern part of Italy’s Emilia- Italy, 1960’s – early 1970’s author, But lets set the scene: Italy was th Romagna region in the 19 historian and journalist Alteo ready for something like this. Century. The alias of “Il Passatore” Dolcini, from Forlimpopoli, Something a little crazy and was bestowed upon him in Emilia-Romagna - set up a ‘light-hearted’ (so much so, that association with his father, who number of associations to promote in later years journalist Franco used to work as a boatman on the a wide variety of local traditions Chiabegatti would refer to race as nearby river Lamone. Merciless and culture, amongst them, also the ‘Olympics of Madness’). with his victims, Stefano Pelloni an association involved in the The early seventies was a time - “Il Passatore” disseminated promotion and safeguarding of of political and social unrest terror and bloodshed across the wines produced in the area: throughout the country. There the Romagna countryside for a the “Ente Tutela Vini Romagnoli”, were raging struggles between number of years. of which the logo was – and still is the extra-parliamentary left and today, a portrait of ‘Il Passatore’. neo-fascists. Terrorist group Popular consensus and culture has Dolcini could have been Brigate Rosse were beginning to however, over time, transformed considered an early day marketing carry out their first attacks. The and softened the legend of “Il guru... as along with Francesco feminist movement was in full Passatore” into more of a Robin Calderoni from the “Factory swing, as was pressure for social Hood figure. It’s said that he Workers colluded with the poor and Ramblers Massage late seventies destitute, who helped blanket his Union”(yes ill doings in exchange for favours that did and the benefit of his spoils. This exist), sports is understandable if we look at the journalists geographical location – we’re in a Renato Cavina region of Italy – Emilia-Romagna, and Carlo that has historically been Raggi, together characterised by class struggle developed and conflict. Often siding with the the idea to underdog it followed that many put on a long converged towards the ideals distance run,

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 21 Race Report

hit, in a time receiving an invitation to attend Il Passatore late seventies when serious the race, Ritchie travels from distance Elgin in Scotland all the way to running was a Florence, where he arrives only luxury reserved to find his pre-booked hotel to for a select few, be ‘full’ therefore he’s relegated yet the desire to spending the night before the to make one’s race in the railway station sleeping stand was rough. a collective The following day, pre race, Don is mission. interviewed by Italian press, who catch him drinking from a bottle Everyday of vodka. Ritchie, in the Scottish heroes Distance Running History article rights. The country was under embraced the explains: “I found some shady strict austerity measures and car challenge. Fuelled by a resilient steps and sat down and began use was banned on Sundays and on work ethos, and topped off with a sipping from my pre-race bottle. certain weekdays. The Italians were sense of spiritedness and vigour, While packing for the trip at home, making themselves heard, and on 26th of May 1973, 1100 I found that I was short of a few were fighting for their beliefs. runners took to the roads in what drinks bottles so I took whatever was the first edition of “100 km was available, including an empty In the grip of austerity, the Italians del Passatore Firenze-Faenza”. half-bottle labelled Smirnoff also had to find ways to diversify It was won by Italians Romano Vodka. This served as my pre-race their leisure time. No more Baccaro in 7h51’18”and Maria Pia container.” Sundays with the family bundled Tellini in 12h37’15”and only 347 in the car to visit relatives. Now, total would cross the finish line. When asked by the journalist what cars remained firmly parked in the he was drinking on such a warm drive, as the Italians sought out The following years saw the afternoon, Ritchies goes on to other leisure pursuits. This was a number of participants steadily write: time when many historic running rise and calls for foreign “Being in a rather flippant mood and cycling clubs were created. participation meant that the by now, I just pointed to the label So it came as no surprise that the race became ‘international’. In on the half-bottle containing 100km del Passatore was an instant 1979 and 1980, the 100km del the colourless glucose polymer Passatore was solution. He noted it down in his Vito Melito in the lead late seventies won by Donald pad with a rather puzzled look on Ritchie. his face. Perhaps he thought it was The Scottish a refinement of the carbohydrate Distance loading diet.” Running History Ritchies continues to give an website offers accurate, and often quite ‘thorny’ Ritchie’s highly description of the event, in which entertaining he finds himself dealing with review of his having to overtake numerous experience. runners who’d somehow ‘brought forward’ the race start time. After You can read the full

22 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 Race Report article here: www. loathe them, the Post race rest late seventies scottishdistancerunninghistory. race has also been scot/don-ritchie/ tinged with acts of misdemeanour So why is this the Marmite of - and if you Ultras? listen closely, you can hear a The first dollop... barley audible Race crews are not a frequent sight undercurrent in Italy, so, in a race that actually of whispers permits them for part of the regarding the course, it’s no wonder that many a possibility of runner enlists the help of friends some runners myself be entertained from start or family, who willingly provide slipping in and out of cars en route, to finish by a cast of characters comfort and aid to a loved one en taking lifts to speed up time and who in just the fragments of space route. This results in an array of cut down on effort. Anecdotes and time that it took to overtake effects that either seem to irritate which, throughout past editions, or be overtaken - managed to or endear other runners, bringing have on occasion been proven to be convey a lavish spectrum of both us into the Marmite zone. truths! With dramatic show downs the endearing and irritating traits often carried out on social media, that seem to pertain to runners There are those who melt at the unmasking the course cutting everywhere. It felt like I’d come sight of complacent families setting culprits. home, to a family of eccentrics and up camp by the roadside. Some in This however can somehow madcaps. My own family. ancient motorhomes, laying out a provoke a twofold reaction. The selection of food – Italian banquet race can be scorned by many a style. Sitting back, relaxing and runner, for this particular reason. Each year between 2000 and drinking in the spectacle of sweaty Yet (again) throw in a twist of 3000 runners usually take part, runners. Calmly waiting for a loved perspective and the 100km del challenging themselves to “La one, yet still managing a shy nod at Passatore can take the form of Cento”, with the good and the bad. the oncoming, unknown runner. ethical aspiration. The honest And the only way to decide, if like Yet there are those who virtually runner shall complete the race Marmite, you either hate it or love ignite at the sight of cars, through training, personal ability it, is to serve it up for breakfast and motorhomes and bikes crawling and the certainty of his or her own get your teeth into it. But watch slowly along the road. All that integrity! out, if you do like, it, you might traffic!Some runners might Perhaps we can add a third aspect find those 100km from Florence exclaim, weaving around vehicles. to the course cutting. Running to Faenza slightly addictive, and Poppycock!! May chime in others. the race also takes on a cloak and end up like runners Walter Fagnani It’s all part of the parcel! So can dagger appeal. The 100km del and Marco Gelli, who’ve both the Marmite of Ultras - boil down Passatore can bring out the Miss participated and finished the race - also in part, to what we ourselves Marple and Inspector Clouseau in 40 times. actually see? Can we whittle it even the most race focused runner. down to interpretation and point Race website: https:// of view? Personal experiences www.100kmdelpassatore.it/ I fall into the category of those The second dollop... that love it, warts and all. Having All images are courtesy of 100km Alongside the motorhomes, the run the 100km del Passatore in Del Passatore cars, the bicycles... love them or 2011. Slowly and comfortably, I let ■UW■

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 23 Race Report Trans-Korea 2016 Part one: Getting to the Start Line Author & Photos: Berit Jesson

Sun rise at the Han River in Seoul

he following is a for quite a good story, I South, and a South to since I was just under Tquite lengthy and in shared a few hours with North, with distances two years old and am some respects unusual Abichal Sherrington of 308/312 km, 537 km, (very) Danish. I grew race report. Unusual, during the 6 day race in and 622 km respectively. up with no relation to because even though the Hungary and relayed my If you complete all three Korea other than having race itself was a great story of the race to him. runs within one year, a sister who was also challenge (spoiler alert: Ultraruns in Asia do not you have made a grand adopted from Korea DNF), getting to the start get very much attention slam (!!!). Language and hence according to line was actually one of outside of Asia (some of barriers make it kind of people around us looked the greatest challenges so the reason for this should hard to search for “grand so much like me that it far in my ultrarunning be obvious from this race slammers” - guess I will was very easy to see that “career”. Despite the stress we were sisters. Actually, report) and there are so have to ask around when of having virtually no we do not have one drop many great races there. I meet up with the other useful race information of blood in common and runners. before the race, a stomach Every year, the Korean absolutely do NOT look issue during most of Ultra Marathon A little background alike (although she was the race, two falls and a Federation (KUMF) history: I am a Korean always the pretty one, so DNF, it was actually one organises three non-stop adoptee but was raised I would not have minded of my greatest running Trans-Korea races. A in a Danish family and if we did) but being Asian experiences. It makes West to East, North to have lived in Denmark and growing up among

24 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 Race Report tall, Nordic people, we of only new running friends to glean that the first two course looked virtually I made during that aid stations would be indistinguishable ;-) I marathon, were a group located around 50 km really did not have much of Chinese runners! and 100 km, and only two interest in Korea or my However, I had heard drop bags were allowed at birth family’s background about the Trans-Korea 100 km and 200 km and but in 2011, I was races and although, I was that it was mandatory reunited with my Korean slightly intimidated by to carry a light on birth family during a visit the distances, I decided the back of your back to Korea (and yes, it is that the “baby distance” pack. There was a route SOUTH Korea) but that West to East was doable. description in Korean is another story. Looking I found the race info in and I could see at which Korean while being the d-u-v- race calendar distance, one had to do Danish, a total stranger and optimistically clicked something but where Translation to Korean culture and the race link, which leads and what one had to do traditions, only being to the KUMF home was a big mystery and completing the online able to communicate page - which is all in Google Translate really is contact form to ask them with two of my three Korean. Luckily, they NOT your friend when if I could register for the siblings (my youngest have an English section it comes to translating race. As I received no sister speaks English) and as well. Unfortunately, route directions. I did answer, I had someone my parents by means of the English section had not want to involve my translate my email into Google Translate on my not been updated for Korean family, especially Korean and tried again smartphone, I felt kind several years - except not my perpetually a few times more. Still of alien and awkward for annual registration worried Korean father no reply. When I told a whenever we visited information for the Jeju who worries about that friend who lives in Korea Korea, so I felt the need Ultramarathon. But never I travel alone, eat spicy about this later on, his to do something that mind. That is why we food, run long distances, response was “Oh, but is essentially ME when have Google Translate, and even warns me to Koreans don’t reply to I was in Korea. And right? And noticing hold the hand-rail when emails. You have to call that of course means a picture with a lot of walking down the stairs. them”. Great… But of ultrarunning ;-) Korean symbols (I was So involving them in course, calling someone Easier said than done. unable to read Hangeul, my running a 308 km who speaks only Korean On my first three visits the Korean alphabet race did not seem like was not really an option. to Korea, I did not see at the time) and the a terribly bright idea. So, on to plan B. any runners anywhere very promising words Besides, I was concerned on the streets or in the “308 km”, I navigated that they would insist on Around two years before national parks where we to the race info page. paying my race fee, and my race, I had started to went hiking on our first And Google translated finally, the questions I ask all my international visit. Third time around, I it. However, Google had for the race about ultrarunning friends if participated in one of the Translate and Korean the race setup were they had ever run one of two annual marathons is not exactly a match questions best answered the Trans-Korea runs or in Seoul with around made in Heaven. Either by a runner. I emailed knew someone who had. 20,000 participants - but that or it is a very strange the organisers in English After a while and after where they go between race. Certainly the race a few times sending a checking the results list the races remained a description did not make direct email to the listed from the previous year’s mystery to me… And the much sense. I did manage email address and by race, I soon changed my

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 25 Race Report

investigative strategy to there was a German me that I should not run After several months just ask if anybody knew runner who seemed to be alone, that the traffic was effort, I seemed to be any English-speaking living in Korea and who dangerous and a female signed up for what Korean ultrarunners. had completed the race runner had been killed in would be my longest The answer was always a few times. Again, no the traffic during the race run ever then, I had negative. One friend luck in trying to message the previous year. Happily the best piece of luck: said he had met some him. Finally, I checked he agreed to assist me in Running one of my Korean ultrarunners but the results lists again, signing up for the race. favourite races, the 100 did not stay in touch as and lo and behold; the He registered me and mile Mauerweglauf, in they knew no English. I American had listed his I paid for the start fee Berlin, I met a Chinese- then started scrutinizing running club as Seoul of 400,000 won, which American runner who the results lists from Fly Runners. Checking corresponds to approx. lives in Korea. He had previous Trans-Korea up on that running club, $370. Shortly thereafter, a Korean ultrarunner runs in order to find it turned out to be a I recognised my name, friend who was an actual some foreigners who had running club in Seoul which was the only name finisher of Trans-Korea, completed the race and for expats and English- I could read, in a long and best of all: He spoke who were likely to speak speaking Koreans. I list, which I assumed was English! He would not English. Or German, or messaged the admin and the participants list. At be running himself French, or Danish, or asked if I could join their one point, I asked what that year, as he was basically just any other running club if I paid the the word listed besides preparing for the UTMB. language than Korean… members fee even if I my name meant - Google However, he would be No dice. I did find the did not live in Korea and Translate refused to happy to answer my name of a Hong Kong would not show up for render a translation. The questions. Furthermore, Chinese runner and tried training except perhaps answer was “Not paid” my new-found friend to send him a message once every few years ;-) and this was several initiated contact with but he never replied. I was allowed to join months after I made the a Korean runner who I then located a race and promptly posted in bank transfer! A friend after enquiring into my report from an American their Facebook group if then posted the question running credentials who had run the race anybody was running the in Korean for me on and warning me about a couple of times. He Trans-Korea and could the race’s online forum running alone, and telling did not appear to be on help out with registration and the answer was that me about the runner Facebook but I located and information on the there was an issue with who was killed in traffic, a running forum where race. A (now) friend documentation. I then offered to accompany he was a member and responded and offered asked the runner who me on the unmarked tried to message him to help me out with had helped me register, route. I was not sure there. No luck. Then registration and also told if he could call the race if he was running the organisers and find out entire race, or “only” the The route and elevation profile what was going on. The first 200 km - there was answer was some story some communication about them not being issues. Ever the optimist, able to access my start I decided that if he would fee as it was paid into an run with me for the first international account. Or 200 km, I could just something… Anyway, “wing it”, the remaining the issue was resolved 112 km! Anyway, as the somehow. late Danish comedian,

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Victor Borge put it: “A I had figured out that Volunteers at the aid station. And yours… smile is the shortest there was a free shuttle, distance between two however I had no idea people”, so I figured that that one had to sign up armed with a smile and for it, as there was no knowing the Korean communication from the word for water (mul), I race organisers, except would be able to manage on the online forum - just fine somehow ;-). A in Korean. So, my new few days before the race, I running friend, Mr. Chae, met up with my running signed me up and we companion, and because agreed to meet at the bus we had communicated station on race day. through Messenger, I was A few days before the indicated that you could hand shakes and photos. under the illusion that race, I called the runner buy water at convenience Of course, no English… he knew English, which who had run the race stores. As the race started After a 2 hour bus ride, turned out not to be the before, and after the usual at 9 pm, I was not sure we reached the start at case. However, I figured, spiel about the dangers if we would pass any Gangwha Island on the my plan was just to hang of the traffic and running open convenience stores West coast. We received on to his company as I alone and the story of the along the route and if our bibs and handed in could not find my way female runner who was they would be open for our drop bags, which alone so if I just kept to killed in a car accident, I were actually for the most his side, that would be got some much-needed business (note to self: fine, and then I would info on the race. I never Korean convenience parts, suitcases. I had just have to miss out on did figure out if all the stores are always open). bought some minimalist deep conversations along warnings about the So, three days before and rather pricey little the way. I still had no idea dangers of running the event, my anxieties red lights to attach to my what to put in my drop alone, applied to me as were finally replaced back pack as I knew it bags and how to manage a female, a foreigner, an by the usual pre-race was mandatory to carry food and energy between idiot, or just applied to anticipation and I started light during the race and the aid stations. It was all runners in general. I to look forward to the I of course did not want not only my hardest race highly suspect the former. start! to carry anything heavy. ever, it was also my least Anyway, three days However, with our bibs, prepared race. There before the race, I finally we received a huge light Trans-Korea 2016 West to was no point in making got some information to carry that was akin to East - Part two: The Race any race strategy, as my on what to expect at a lightsaber! So much for only plan was hanging the aid stations. I had On race day, I met up minimalist equipment. on to my fellow runner also worried about the with Mr. Chae at the I guess they did not with whom I could distance to the first two bus station, which was want to take any chances hardly communicate! aid stations as I did not great as I would never after the accident and to My Korean sister showed know how much water have been able to locate ensure that we could be up to meet my running to carry for 50 km and the shuttle-bus on my seen from afar. At that companion and through how to manage that. I own. I met a number point, Mr. Chae asked her, he asked me if I had had “translated” some of the other runners, me if I had booked the registered for the shuttle posts from the race’s and introductions were shuttle back to Seoul. Of bus from Seoul to start. online forum, which made: Lots of smiles, course, I had not. And I

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 27 Race Report

have to admit, that I had had a picture taken of all The field quickly spread the room was already figured, Mr. Chae would the runners in front of out and we were moving filled with other runners. book the shuttle both the start portal - and then along in what was for There are two features of ways. We asked one of the someone discovered that me an unusual quiet Korean restaurants that organisers who informed they had turned it the pace. I am widely known are not very ultrarunner- us that the bus was full. wrong way around so the for chatting all the way. friendly: You have to But as some runners portal read “Finish”. We However, given that my take off your shoes, and would most likely DNF, decided to leave it and I Korean was limited to a you sit on the floor but they could probably find just hoped that we hadn’t few essential words such I managed! We had a place for me. I decided jinxed the race by taking as hello, thank you, water, rice and some kind not to worry about that a finish photo at start… etc., I simply settled in of seaweed soup with till after the race and and enjoyed the night. something that smelled anyway, I had a credit Due to the traffic, we and looked a bit like The start was at 9 pm card, so I figured I would ran on the pavement, tripe. I was not a fan. We and we had police escort make it back to Seoul which was unfortunately then grabbed a quick nap for the first few miles. It somehow… quite uneven. So around on the restaurant floor is a road race and a lot 30 - 40 km, I took quite before moving on. There was a pre-race meal of the race is along the a nasty fall. I quickly served in the restaurant shoulder of quite heavily Very soon I felt nauseous got back on my feet as I at start. Forget about trafficked highways. But and had a re-encounter worried that my fellow pasta party. We had rice, at 9, the roads were quiet with my seaweed soup. runners would make too kimchi (spicy, fermented and the temperature was Every time I tried to much of a fuss about it, cabbage), some sort nice and cool. I stuck consume some of my and there was absolutely of fish that tasted like to Mr. Chae like glue energy drink, I was sick NO way I was quitting mackerel, seaweed soup, although he ran a bit too but in between that, I the race. Back on my and the usual Korean fast for my preference, actually felt OK. We feet, I continued - only range of fermented side given that we had 312 soon reached the first to take another fall soon dishes. Oh well, when km ahead of us. Around aid station at around after and when I hit the in Rome… I just hoped 19-20 km, a local running 50 km and registered ground, my leg started that my stomach would club had set up an extra there. Food was served recognise this (delicious) aid station, and they cramping. Mr. Chae and I tried to eat a bit food as race fuel… I was had water and rice cakes helped ease my cramps of broth and some plain the only foreigner in the and I refilled my water and once again, I quickly rice and decided to skip race and as I also had my bottles. They somehow got back up even though the kimchi. Some of the adoption history, soon knew my story and I I had hurt my knee quite race organisers gave me every runner in the field quickly learned that just badly. I then decided to some kind of medicine knew who I was. I think I saying “Denmark” with run on the road rather for my stomach. I usually had my photo taken with Korean pronunciation, than the pavement while resent taking medication every single runner and apparently was sufficient briefly considering all the but I figured, I had better felt like quite the celebrity. to tell my entire story warnings I had received follow their advice as I We had pictures taken in and also explain why I about the traffic and the did not want to run the front of the race poster, in did not speak Korean. So, fatal accident. risk that they would deem front of the rock with the that became my magical At some point, Mr. Chae me unfit to continue Trans-Korea inscription word throughout the rest stopped and pointed the race. The medicine that has a twin at the of the race, whenever to a sign by the road seemed to be a gingery finish line, in front of the I encountered other side - and we entered a powder and really did not start portal, etc. We also runners or supporters. Korean restaurant where sit well with my stomach

28 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 Race Report but I decided to hold it for a while with another in my backpack and Mr. Chae reappeared and in until I was out of sight runner. Actually, my new cleaned out the rice and joined me again as we of the organisers before running companion’s they took of my shoes continued on. I would throwing up again ;-) pace was more even and and put something on have expected to have 2-3 I was only able to sip suited me much better. my feet that looked like hrs to cut off at that point. pure water and around I prefer to run at a slow, gaiters but were made of However, as we had been half a liter per hour. steady pace and take my some kind of tulle, which making long breaks, we Otherwise, I was sick breaks by alternating rendered them pretty were almost right on cut again. As long as I stuck running and walking useless as gaiters. They off time, which was a bit to sipping water, I was and then grab a short also imposed these on stressful. fine and spirits were high power nap once in a my running companion. The sun was really strong - even though I knew while. Occasionally, we I still have no idea what and I was suffering a that running 312 km on would get water from a that was all about but bit in the heat but also pure water was not really convenience store along politely kept them on enjoyed some beautiful an option. But I figured the route. But also filled till the next aid station views. We made a stop - or rather hoped - my our water bottles from where I dumped them. at a restaurant and I stomach would settle later drinking fountains by the They also massaged my pretended to eat some of on. We ran through the river, which was probably feet, and offered fruit my food but really just night and every time we a mistake on my side. The and water and totally did the anorexia trick and passed a bench at a bus water is safe to drink for mothered me whilst pushed my food around stop or a road work tent, the locals but my stomach happily chatting away on my plate, as I did we could see runners was probably not adjusted in Korean. We then not trust my stomach to asleep or see their to the local bacteria. Next continued to the next aid hold down the food. We flashing “lightsabers” time, I will bring water station where we had our soldiered on and made through the tent canvas. purifier tablets… But drop bags. I changed into the occasional photo We also crashed in a tent gradually, my stomach dry running clothes and stop and at some point, left by road workers for a settled a little. At some enjoyed a short rest in the we separated again but short power nap. point, we encountered a sun and even managed the route was easy as we KUMF guy who had set to eat a bit of rice and just followed highway We ran along the Han up a mini aid station and kimchi. The volunteers 6, which was not a very river, which cuts through offered us kimbap, water, were super-friendly so busy road and I quite Seoul and I recognised and coke. I managed despite the language enjoyed running at my part of the route as I a few bites of kimbap barrier, I was well taken own pace for a while. had been running along (seaweed rolls with rice) care of. All of a sudden, When I reached the the river in Seoul the and stuck the rest in my previous week. backpack for later. Around 90 km, we The sun rose over the encountered yet another river and all was well - unlisted aid station apart from the occasional manned by a number vomiting. At some of Korean “ajummas”, point, Mr. Chae had a Korean ladies who bit of a crisis and via made a huge fuss of Google Translate on our me. They laughed when smartphones, he asked they discovered that my me to continue and I ran kimbap had disintegrated View

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 29 Race Report major aid station at 200 signs would inform me no avail. I got in the car seafood dinner with Mr. km, I again changed that the incline was 7 %, and was taken to a check Chae and was able to into dry clothes and left 8 % or 10 %. Some of the point where they tried to eat several bites of food the aid station running volunteers pulled over feed me - but my stomach before returning to Seoul alongside an elderly in their car and gave me still was having none on the shuttle bus. runner. He was waiting water and poured cold of that. When I entered Despite all the challenges, for me but I could feel water over me to cool me the room, the others this had been one of another bout of vomit down and let me know applauded and one of the my greatest running coming up so I tried to that I had another 4 km volunteers told me, I had experiences ever and I tell him to just continue to the aid station. made 250 km. Although, am very grateful to Mr. without me. Finally, I Eventually, I reached the I was disappointed, I Chae, the other runners, gave up and called my aid station and there was also felt okay about my my running friends friend and asked him to Mr. Chae. He informed accomplishment and in who helped me with tell my fellow runner to me we were close to cut the end there were 67 race registration and just move on and I passed off and I told him to finishers from around 130 advice, and of course the phone to him. My just continue alone as I starters. friend then explained certainly did not want to I was driven to the hotel all the volunteers for a that my companion be the cause of his DNF at the finish line and wonderful experience. wanted to keep moving in but I also hoped to be was assigned a room. I My name appears on order to try to gain some able to finish myself as showered and went to the start list once again. time before we hit the my legs felt fine. I then sleep almost right away. Beside my name is a word mountains. Nice strategy started the first descent Of course, we had to that Google Translate but I really had to vomit. and made good speed sleep on the floor, which now offers to translate I sent my fellow runner downhill and soon the can be a bit of a challenge as “payment” and that ahead and when he was sun set and the night after 250 km. After a I recognise as the “not out of sight, I emptied my was cool and nice. I kept good rest, I went to the paid” status even though stomach. But he noticed moving occasionally sauna and then joined the I transferred the start and turned around and encountering another others at the finish line. fee several weeks ago ;-) stopped one of the race runner, so I knew I was Mr. Chae came in as a This time I will run alone, volunteers who was on the right track. I finisher, which made me despite all the warnings driving a car and soon had brought a charger very happy. Finally, there so I can make my own the volunteer returned for my GPS watch but was someone who spoke pace and since last time, with more of that yucky unfortunately, I had lost English and he translated powder stuff. I politely that somewhere along for me. Mr. Chae then I have several stage runs thanked my friend, the route. My backup said that he had thought, under my belt, not least dutifully swallowed some watch froze refusing to I would quit after falling the 1,000 km Corsica powder and told him, start up, I was running earlier on in the race. I Ultra and also a 6 day I would rest and when with no idea of how far I vowed to be back in 2 race with 602 km, so I feel he had left, it all came had run and how close to years and finish the race, confident that I am ready. back up again. I took a cut off I was. But at some and everybody assured Now, I just have to wait short rest on a bench and point, a volunteer drove me that next time, I till September... then continued alone in up to me and signaled would finish now I knew the heat. I soon hit the that I had to get in the how to run in Korea. One Trans-Korea West to East mountains. The sun was car. I tried to object as I of the volunteers offered brutal and there was no was running at a good to support me from his 2016 shade anywhere. Road pace and felt fine but to car. I had a really nice ■UW■

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11 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 31 Race Report Snowdrop 55-Hour Part 1 2017-2018 By Bob Hearn

Joe and Kelley moving well. Pic by Don Davis.

he usual disclaimer a new regime, so the anyone would want to working pretty well now Tapplies: I write report is long. So, read this. I just had to – though every race is these reports mostly feel free to skim! No write it. Background different – but there are for myself, to get down seriously. It maybe gets I came into Snowdrop endless complications everything relevant I can interesting on day two. with my two previous your body can throw at remember, for future My first Spartathlon major races, 24-hour you, especially as you get reference. Sometimes report clocked in at a Worlds and Desert older. I stopped at Desert they are useful or massive 5,000 words... Solstice 24-hour, being Solstice after only 93 entertaining to others as this one is twice as long. disappointing failures. miles, with a backwards well; that’s a bonus. Technically that would I thought I’d had 24- lean that would not go This was the longest make it “novelette” hour figured out, but I away. The next day I was race I’ve ever run, and length, though it’s not was wrong. I do believe kicking myself for giving I learned a lot entering fiction. I don’t know why I have the mental game up so easily. What was

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I thinking? I’d put in all I’d thought I had an Snowdrop 55-hour, exists to fund pediatric the training and 15 hours outside chance at Phil in Houston. ATY is cancer research and of race-day effort, but McCarthy’s 48-hour an Aravaipa race (as scholarships for pediatric I had not collected the overall American Record is Desert Solstice), cancer patients and payoff: the experience of 257 miles. On paper it excellently organized, survivors. The race (one of completing the 24 looked easy. I knew that and a huge New Year’s of many the foundation hours to the best of my was deceptive. Still, it party that dozens of sponsors) is a fundraiser, ability, to learn more. would be the only overall my friends would be with most participants Those are hard-earned record I would have attending. But I have helping to raise data points, and here any shot at at all, and rarely seen big numbers thousands of dollars I’d failed to claim them. everything I have learned from ATY (even that will be put to vital What’s more, the same at 24-hour tells me my counting Kelly Agnew’s use. The unusual length thing had happened last strengths as a runner recently vacated wins), of 55 hours honors year, and I had finally should improve relative and I’ve heard stories Chelsey Campbell’s recovered and come to my competition the of unrelenting, shoe- record-setting surgery at back to win the men’s longer the race. However, begriming dust and Texas Children’s Cancer race. Yet, it was really Olivier Leblond raised freezing conditions. I Center, that inspired the right decision. I have the bar, running 262 had seen big numbers the formation of the to take a step back from miles in November. at Snowdrop from Snowdrop Foundation. 24-hour and figure out That moved my chances Joe Fejes, Connie So I felt a little guilty this lean. I’m working from slim to pretty Gardner, and Jon Olsen. showing up at Snowdrop with a physiotherapist. nearly nil. Yet, there was Snowdrop had filled 8 “just” to race. But I was Also, for quite a while still the over-50 record hours after opening, welcomed with open I had wanted to try of 230.41, and plenty but Kevin Kline, the arms. I flew in late 48-hour, and this gave of room in between organizer, had let me Wednesday, giving me me the chance. I know those two numbers for know earlier that he’d a couple of days before that sounds crazy – 24 intermediate goals. love to have me there. the Saturday morning is too hard, why not So after waiting a week start. Thursday afternoon to gauge my recovery I went out for an easy from my aborted effort run, and when I got – pretty good, I judged back to the hotel there – I reached out, and was Adrian checking Kevin not only gave me in. He reminded me a spot, but comped my of the mental training entry and hotel, and seminar that evening, brought me in as an elite, that I’d totally forgotten. joining Joe, Connie, It started in an hour, but and Adrian Stanciu. was a 40-minute drive The spectrum of 48-hour goals (Phil McCarthy had away! I arranged to meet try 48? – but I thought There were two options had to pull out earlier.) back in the lobby after getting a different, larger, for 48-hour in the Wow! Snowdrop 55 The a quick shower to ride perspective on what immediate future, first thing that must be with Adrian. As I got happens to my body three weeks out, over said about Snowdrop in the elevator I heard running for a very long New Years: Across the is that it’s much more him tell his daughters time could be useful. Years (24, 48, 72, and than just a race. The “that’s my nemesis!”. Also, for quite a while 6-day), in Phoenix, and Snowdrop Foundation At the seminar I finally

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 33 Race Report

met Kevin Kline; running. So caution was but not until at least Here I gave myself a he introduced us to warranted. On the other halfway through day generous 15 minutes the attendees. I even hand, how many chances two. Yet, having to beat per day, expecting more signed an autograph! would I get to put up a Joe did support not issues to be dealt with. I was gratified to have big number at 48-hour? starting too slow, i.e. It turned out that both a lot of resonance and This might be my best even pacing for 232, and of these guesses were familiarity with most chance for a long time, potentially having to underestimates. I needed of what was said about and certainly I’d be at run much farther with more sleep, and spent mental training; I might my youngest. If I had a big negative split to more time in medical, have taken away a few any chance at all at the catch him. So on balance portapotties, etc., than new tidbits. After that overall record, shouldn’t I was happy with this I’d allowed. Live and was a pizza dinner I take my shot? I tried to plan. Note that running learn. Friday afternoon organized by Snowdrop. have my cake and eat it pace didn’t enter my I toured the race course, I met Patty Godfrey (the too. 186 laps, or 128.42 calculations anywhere ran a couple of easy laps, race director), Brian miles, on day one would above. I had penciled in and picked up my bib. Anderson (who wore mean 7:30 laps, after estimated running paces, Then I finalized my crew many hats in the race), subtracting 45 minutes and walking times per instructions back at the and several participants. of time stopped for nap, lap, but the execution hotel. I didn’t have Liz No pizza for me, though portapotty, gear, medical, strategy would be to run and Scott with me this – I had learned that I had etc. That should be an as slowly as comfortable, time, as I had at Worlds to maintain my strict easy effort, and would and walk just enough to and Desert Solstice. They low-carb training diet up be easy to track. Then if keep the laps the right had done plenty of crew until race start, or pay I happened to feel great duration. duty lately already! Plus the price when I had to after 24 hours (ha!), I The estimated nap time this was a last-minute slowly transition back left myself a shot at 262: and stopped time were race decision. Instead to fat-burning mid-race. I’d have to speed up to a real shot in the dark, this was another perk So I settled for a salad. 7:10 laps on day two, however. How much of being an invited elite: Friday disappeared in putting me at 262.371. sleep did I need? I we had our own crew a blur, as I made final Or, I could slow to 8:00 planned for 15-minute tent, near the timing preparations. I had laps on day two and still naps every 10 hours. I’d mat, with a dedicated hemmed and hawed over run over John Geesler’s asked Phil how to run 48 crew team, and a side my pacing spreadsheet 400 km (248.5 miles), hours; he said “it’s just tent with heater and since long before I’d which would put me at like 24!”. Well, maybe cot. Couldn’t ask for signed up for Snowdrop, #3 all-time US, behind for him! From his race more. Friday evening but I had still not made Olivier and Phil. That report it appears he spent we had an elite panel my final decision. I seemed legitimately a total of about half an session, featuring Joe, thought the 50+ record feasible – on paper! hour for rest stops, with Adrian, me, and Doc of 230.41 was soft. In Finally I could slow all no sleep, in his record- Lovy. Doc Lovy has been fact Joe Fejes had set the way to 9:15 laps on setting run. I thought the team doctor for the that mark as a 48-hour day two and still run I would need more, national teams at World split in a 6-day race! over 232. Of course, if I but I didn’t know how Championships forever. So it was almost soft wanted that record, I was much more. Likewise He is 82. His knowledge by definition. But of going to have to also beat the stopped time was a and experience are course this was my first Joe, not just his existing guess. I usually budget invaluable. He and his time out, and Joe is the mark. That might mean 5 minutes of stopped hand-picked team would master of US multi-day some tactical racing, time for a 24-hour. man the medical tent

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Joe, Doc Lovy, me, and Adrian winning Desert Solstice, or more obviously, his big PR effort at Desert Solstice to win (150+), and being here three weeks later for his first multiday?! That’s just crazy to me. A 24-hour PR-level effort would take me months to recover from to be at full fitness. Granted Adrian is younger, but just by 4 years. And Joe had run three 24-hours since late October, plus a 16:24 100 three weeks before Snowdrop! I get that it for the duration of the which was no surprise, as and I all judged ourselves seems to work for some race; we couldn’t be in he is a popular Houston to be fairly evenly people. But I don’t see better hands. Connie radio host on the 93Q matched for the race, and the logic. Final question Gardner was supposed Morning Zoo show I think we all learned a for me: “Who’s going to to join us, but she’d had (and no ultrarunning lot from each other, as I be first to 100 miles?” to withdraw at the last slouch himself, having hope the audience did. “Not me!” I was there for minute. I would certainly completed the 175- It was great to hear Joe 48. Well 55, in the end, miss her presence out on mile UltraMilano- and Adrian’s thoughtful but the 48 split was the responses. You don’t the course (though she Sanremo). After focus. I was certainly (with rare exceptions) not going to race anyone found a way to join me flattering introductions, get to this level by talent out of the gate. I’m never anyway...). he engaged us all well, alone. It takes the right first to 100 in a 24-hour, and we also took plenty mindset and attitude, let alone 48. Well, I had Kevin was an excellent of questions from the and respect for the missed the small fact that MC for the session, audience. Joe, Adrian, distance, and I think there’s a $500 prize for Snowdrop founder Kevin Kline and we all had it. And the first to 100. Interesting. some crazy runners stories and advice from This was advantage Bob, Doc Lovy were priceless. insofar as it motivated There was one area of Joe and Adrian, which disagreement: frequency in fact it did. There was of racing. Joe and Adrian also a $500 prize for the are big proponents of overall winner. Finally using races as training we had a group dinner runs. I am too, but at after the panel. Adrian training-run effort. Not wisely skipped this and Joe and Adrian. Witness went to bed early; Joe, Adrian’s 18:01 Javelina his wife Kelley, and I Jundred six weeks before were lamenting the late

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(after 9) bedtime when important thing for me you’re going too fast”, as torn them at Run4Water we got back to the hotel. was getting on the same he edged ahead, and got last spring, as well as I slept poorly, though of page with my crew. But a few laughs. Yet, he did the anterior talo-fibular course was sound asleep my crew contact, Nicole pull ahead, and was out ligament, and been when my alarm went off Berglund, was going to of sight before long. told by two doctors at 4:45. Day One – Day arrive later. So I hastily they would never heal I woke groggy, but got described my plans to the The course is a certified without surgery. But myself in gear quickly people in the crew tent, 0.69045-mile loop, about they had not limited my enough, and was in the and showed them the 40% concrete, the rest training.) As I reached lobby to ride to the start printed instructions. A dirt. The timing mat the concrete again later with Joe and Kelley at surprise participant was was near the middle of in the loop, I started 6:00. Everything seemed Scott Rabb, who said he the concrete section. walking, as I planned to hectic... it always seems was going for 200 miles. After a bit we turned left walk the stretch by the like there should be I hadn’t seen his name onto the dirt to circle a crew tent every time, for plenty of time before race on the entry list. I’d run lake. This one turn was ease of communication start, but there never is. with his wife Melanie the only slight blemish and access. First lap: The portapotties were a many times at 24-hour. in an otherwise nearly 7:05. OK, too fast, walk hike away from our crew It would be good to see perfect, flat course; you more. I adjusted quickly, tent. There was a timing another familiar face had to accept a little keeping my cumulative splits near 7:30, 15:00, 22:30, 30:00, 37:30, 45:00, 52:30, and on the hour. It was an easy pattern to keep in sync with. I timed the walks... and was shocked to see that I had to walk about 2:30 per lap to keep them the right length. I had figured half that, 1:15, in my spreadsheet, which meant a 10:08 running pace. But it appeared I couldn’t run that slowly. Over the last few years of 24-hour focus I have dialed 9ish-minute Pic by Don Davis miles into my brain and legs pretty well, it chip to be picked up. out there. We wound right downward camber, seems. I expected the Warmup exercises to do. up running pretty close and a very slight hill, if walk breaks to shorten Lacing to be adjusted together for quite a while. you wanted to run the the farther we got into to perfection. The As the sky lightened tangent. That would add the race as I naturally National Anthem to be enough to see, we were up quickly for my poor slowed, but surprisingly observed. Group photos off, at 7:00. Within 20 right peroneal tendons that never happened. to be taken. The most feet I called out “Adrian, if I wasn’t careful. (I had It was a side benefit

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160 mix), more calories as I settled into an than I’m accustomed easy rhythm. I actually to (typically 100-125), thought the race might but made easier by the be over within the first special mixture. I could hour, as Joe and Adrian supplement with water had both already lapped if it got warm. Maurten me! I saw no reason to does have a lot of go out that fast, unless sodium, though, more they were going for the than I would be losing to $500 prize for first to sweat on a cool day like 100, or perhaps were this. I wish they made going for a 24-hour a lower-sodium blend. team qualifier with the Speaking of Maurten, I first-day split. Joe in had ordered more of it particular pulled well before the race, but when ahead, and after a few I realized it wouldn’t hours I judged his pace get to my house in to be on track for mid- time, I frantically tried 150s at 24 hours. I had to change shipping to wondered if he might try Pic by Deborah Scharpff Sexton Houston, explaining the this. It made some sense: that my pattern had me had worked well for me situation. It was too late, conditions were good, walking the majority at Javelina and Desert but Maurten sent two cool and overcast, and the course was pretty of the concrete, which Solstice. Here I would more packages on to would be harder on my Houston, gratis. Thank fast. Why not try? It’s be getting 16 oz. of fluid feet to run on. Starting you! rare to get really good on the second lap, and and 151 calories per conditions for a 24-hour. every other lap, I did my hour (using the Maurten The day unfolded quickly If it looked good, great, a fueling and hydration. I grabbed a 4-ounce bottle of Maurten, the new sports drink used for the Nike 2-hour marathon attempt. Previously I would fuel mostly with Coke or Dr. Pepper, but I think Maurten is better, because it has more glucose and less fructose, and also because of the special property it has of forming a hydrogel when it hits your stomach, which is supposed to make One of many times Adrian lapped me. Pic by Don Davis. absorption easier. And it

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a struggle for her not to onto Sean, wearing a for several laps, I think, Superman outfit, who especially on my walk happened to be right breaks. She might have where I would switch briefly pulled ahead, from walking to running actually, when I dived every lap. He became into a portapotty, but my anchor in more ways eventually I crept back than one. I drew strength ahead and accumulated from him every lap. a lead. Along the long concrete straightaway were a I began to develop quite very large number of a familiarity with the crosses. I didn’t learn course, and with the until after the race that other runners. The most these represented the My anchor prominent aspect of number of children who the course is that it was would die from cancer mid-150s qualifier would be consistent. lined with photos of during 55 hours. That be gold (and would also children, most of them knowledge would have eclipse my 50+ 24-hour After a few hours, Kelley cancer victims, a few added a huge emotional record!). If not, there Fejes came up behind survivors. It was hard impact to this stretch. would be plenty of time me – about to lap me. not to be motivated to back off and still run She had also run all by thinking of what In terms of the other a decent 48, and 55. It those recent 24-hours they and their families runners, Joe, Adrian, was very tempting to try along with Joe. She’d had gone through, so and I were treated like this myself. But I held been looking forward to much in comparison to celebrities. Many of the back, because I was here challenging Connie for a little race pain. I got runners were familiar for 48. I had consciously the win; with Connie to know most of them with our previous races, decided to step back gone, she was the by name and location. had watched them from 24-hour and take women’s favorite. But In particular I latched live, and read our race my best shot at 48. Had I she looked sheepish: “Joe wanted to try again soon told me no matter what, at 24-hour I’d have run DO NOT PASS BOB After a few hours, I FASTtrack in Florida. So, HEARN.” Hahaha! It was could only read this sign as BAD PORG With Doc Lovy and John Surdyk

38 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 Race Report reports. And they were right arm was flapping underused. They are very Garmin elapsed time to all incredibly supportive. uselessly. Sam ran 152 easy for me, and reap see exactly how much It was kind of surreal miles, an excellent multi- huge rewards. Which is time I’d spent stopped. to be treated as such day debut. Deborah, kind of strange, because And I wouldn’t be royalty. I tried to be Susan, Chisolm, and in the real world I am sprinting to catch up supportive in return, several others I knew lousy at both skills. But to planned splits after learning as many names from Facebook but had in the simple, restricted a potty stop. Now, this as I could, but no doubt not met in person; it world of a race, it’s only works if you are I got some wrong; my was great to put names different. I allocated 45 planning to run even apologies if I called you to actual faces and minutes of stop time splits, or at least it’s more by the wrong name. cheer each other on. per day, including naps complicated if you don’t. (John Surdyk, I’m pretty Adrian’s wife Brenda and potty stops, but I Most runners will not try sure I repeatedly called was also a big supporter wanted to hit 7:30 laps to run even for 24 hours, you Brian. Sorry!) A throughout, as were while moving. So all I let alone 48, figuring that few I could not mess their daughters Kirstyn did is stop my Garmin they will naturally slow, up. Becky Cunningham, and Amy. I got a “Go whenever I stopped. That and will have to account from Oklahoma, has Bob!” from them almost might sound sacrilegious for that by “building the same name as my every lap. Time passed. – you can’t stop your a cushion”. I’m in the sister. And I grew up After 4 hours I decided clock in a race, it keeps opposite philosophical in Tulsa. Her husband I was needing too going! – but the Garmin camp, which says that Mark was on the course many portapotty stops. is just a tool, to be used starting easier means and super supportive Even 16 oz. per hour however is best. Doing you have more left over the entire time, and of fluid was more than it this way, I could keep when the going gets hard also posted photos with I needed in these cool the cumulative laps and you need it. If you live updates during the conditions. But with at very easy to figure run “by effort” or “by race. Thank you! Becky the Maurten, I couldn’t times on my Garmin, feel” that might work up went on to run over drop that without also and additionally I could to say a marathon. But 163 miles, a PR. Robert losing planned calories. compare time of day to much longer, and “very Key (“grandpa”), like So for hour 5 I ate a Becky, had run in every donut instead, and drank Snowdrop. He was also little water. And again a solid and motivating at 8 hours. Later in the presence. And it’s hard afternoon I switched to to forget your own Coke for a while, as it name. Sam Benjamin was more calorie dense, (representing the and I could get enough Wisconsin branch of the calories with less fluid. Snowdrop Foundation) had never gone over I should say a word 100, so was taking a about accounting. big step up. He looked Time management smooth and strong the and accounting are whole way, and was critical skills for fixed- always encouraging – time, short-loop including pointing out courses, but they are Pic by Don Davis later in the race when my underappreciated and

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hurt. Endurolytes are excellent mariachi band low in sodium, but I was playing. Wonderful, was getting more than but hard to sleep enough sodium from through! Fortunately the Maurten, especially Nicole had managed to as I normally take little procure some earplugs to none. Sometime in for me (I think courtesy the afternoon I tried to of Kelley Fejes). Not grab a bottle of water something I had thought Scott and Joe. Pic by at the crew tent, but Don Davis. to pack! Next time there wasn’t one ready. I will know. Earlier easy” might still be way at Run4Water, when No problem, I said, I’ll entertainment included too fast to start. You only I had begrudged the get it next lap. Well, Irish dancers, and a know this by thinking time to stop and relace, about three-quarters of live rock band with all- about it beforehand, and and wound up with the way around I hear around incredibly useful huffing and puffing and doing the math. If your all that damage in the person Brain Anderson approaching footsteps. easy starting pace would right foot. But relacing performing. put you over the World didn’t help. So I was One of the kids in the Record for your event if keeping a careful eye crew tent, Marcus (who My legs had been great you held it, you might on it. Otherwise I I would later learn was so far, but after the want to rethink. Run a had remained pretty Sam Benjamin’s son), nap everything was 24-hour by feel, let alone comfortable so far. No had run behind me with super stiff and tight. a 48-hour, and you are leaning, yay! Right glutes a water bottle to try to Fortunately it didn’t take guaranteed to have an a little sore but not bad. catch me! “Do you still long to loosen up again. unpleasant day. As the At 6 hours, and every want this?” Thank you By this point Joe had day wore on, my right 6 hours thereafter, I Marcus! “I was going to begun to fade. He told foot began to bother me. took my supplements: go back, but I think I’ll Actually it had bothered one Endurolyte, one just keep going.” 5 pm me later he’d thought it me almost from the start, Endurance Amino, and came, 10 hours, time for would take 16:00 for the with too much pressure two HMB pills (supposed my first 15-minute nap. 100-mile prize, and had on top of the foot. I had to help preserve muscle I’d thought I’d be ahead gone through 50 miles already stopped and tissue). Did they help? of the game here, going at 8 hours, but paid for relaced twice. This was I have no idea. But down for a nap so early, it after that. At 6 pm, the same symptom as they probably couldn’t but lo and behold Joe 11 hours in, I was in and Adrian were already 4th, behind Adrian (by asleep in the tent! And 6 miles), Joe, and Scott they were still there Rabb. Gradually I caught after my nap. (Maybe up to and passed Scott that should have told and Joe. me something about reasonable sleep time.) There was pasta for The only problem with dinner. I grabbed a plate, the nap was that being so nibbled some, and left close to the timing mat, the rest at the crew tent we were also close to the to nibble more live entertainment. An later. ■UW■

40 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 RRuunnnneerrss aaggaaiinnsstt RRuubbbbiisshh

We’re a small charity working to protect the outdoors from litter Help us protect this

from this Race Report Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 Author: Emma Marks, Photos: Courtesy GBUltras

To help with navigation Wayne Drinkwater, UGB race director organized free reccy runs at weekends prior to race day for free… Fantastic!! I went to the Malham, 24 mile section led by Wayne. It was a great opportunity to cover a section of the 50 mile course and meet some of the other runners who had booked on. I was unable to make the 3 Peaks organized reccy but I went on my own the following weekend and found it easy to navigate following the Pennine Way markers. Although there was a GPX route for you to download I felt much more confident having already ran the route.

s soon as I saw the Facebook Apost for the Pennine Barrier 50 on the Ultra Great Britain page I booked in without hesitation… excited… I knew this was the race for me. HILLS… Tick TRAILS….. Tick CHALLENGING…. Tick I had just started running ultras, only having ran two previous events, The 3 Towers, 37 miles, Howler Series Events 8th October 2016 - joint first lady 7 hours 29 mins. Chester Ultra, 50 miles, UGB Ultras 25th March 2017 second lady 8 hours 43 mins Taking into account previous race results and the 8507ft (2593m) elevation, I was training for a 10 hour finish.

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RACE DAY Having had a relatively crappy nights sleep as one does sleeping in a tent, full of race nerves and listening to water from the streams I jumped out of bed at 04:30 to put on my ready laid out race kit and make porridge and coffee for breakfast. I headed down to the start line, The Buck Inn Pub. Race director Wayne gave the briefing, there was a nice buzz of excitement and nerves, the weather looked promising and the atmosphere felt relaxed!! The final few moments before the 06:00 start I positioned myself at

PRE-RACE I had booked two nights stay at the Riverside Campsite in Malham and I drove up there on the Friday afternoon. The campsite was quiet, had good basic amenities, fresh water, toilets, hot showers and was only £8 per night!! I pitched my tent and quickly got talking to other runners around me. The campsite is only a stones throw from registration and the start-line so after a big bowl of Veggie pasta I organized my kit bag and went to registration along with other runners favoring a more relaxing race morning having gone through kit check the night before. A night cap hot drink - and more food - in my friends camper van and it was early to bed ready for a big day ahead!

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moments we were back out again, now heading up Pen-y-Ghent. Once again as we ran further up towards the top of the 1st of the 3 Peaks the thick mist made for poor visibility, I relied on my watch to beep if I was going off course but following Wayne’ s red and white banner tape was everywhere my watch was a big help when I could barely see ahead. We hit the trig point and made the descent avoiding walkers that had suddenly appeared. Checkpoint 2 – just before Ribblehead Viaduct, as we came into checkpoint 2 volunteers asked the front, my aim was for a quick assent followed up to Fountains us if we had seen runner Matt start and to get ahead at the start to Fell, my legs felt strong and we hit Rushbrook, who was ahead of us at avoid the bottle-neck going up the thick mist making it hard to see the start. Unfortuantly he got lost steep steps at Malham cove. anything at the top, on the descent over Pen-y-Ghent which had cost Many had the same idea and there I was overtaken by 2 male runners him his lead position. who shot passed me, my reaction were some very fast starters, the At this checkpoint they had salted two brothers who came first and was firstly to speed up, but my new potato’s……. Amazing!!! second overall along with Matt head told me that I had 40 miles to Tasted so good and instant carbs, Rushbrook shot off at an incredibly go “Don’t over-do it too soon”. after a couple of these and a cold fast pace and within a couple of Checkpoint 1 Silverdale – was a drink of coke I was ready to go! miles were out of sighte. welcome sight , the volunteers The sun was out now and the heat I ran with a pack of 4 strong male helped to fill water bottles whilst starting to kick in, we had a long runners pushing a competitive myself and 2 other male runners steady climb up to Whernside and pace as we ran past the beautiful filled our hands with nuts, crisps hit the trig point…. 2 Peaks down lake of Malham Tarn. A steep and flapjacks!! Within a few and the steepest yet to go. I caught up with athlete Rob Wilby on the descent, he had blown his quad running downhill, easy to do on the steep rocky ground…. (He slowed down a lot, but still finished the race although hobbling. ) I was now 24 miles into the race and, breaking away from the runners that had kept me company for the first half of the race as we started the steep, assent to Inglesbrough. It starts with a rather relentless hill, that then becomes a

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steep climb, which then becomes coming back to them. I saw 3rd back, those who had been out climbing up on your hands and male, and caught up with him. He in the heat longer were suffering knees!! Wayne was waiting at the was walking and was struggling to but spirits remained high. Every top ready to take photos, so even keep running. It turned out that runner felt equally elated to have though my thighs were burning this was his first ultra and I didn’t finished such a challenging route I still managed a smile for the want his efforts to go to waste so and all runners were greeted with camera and a joke with Wayne! I encouraged him to run with me loud cheers. There was a real buzz At this point the race took you and we chatted the few miles to and energy at the finish and respect about a mile and a half across the Janets Foss waterfall to keep him ridge to collect a ticket as proof motivated. The place was packed to all that ran it. with walkers, all I could think of you had ran it before doubling Of all the 100 mile entrants only now was that finish line. I shouted back and heading up to the top 3 men went back out to run the “Excuse Me, Coming Through” and trig point of Inglesbrough. as I stormed my way through second loop and finish… Heros!! Seeing 2nd and 3rd lady on my the walkers. The third male return gave me a kick up the bum. After my amazing race experience encouraged me to run on ahead I was now 1st Lady and 4th overall, I at Pennine Barrier I received an as he walked the last mile to the picked up the pace as I descended unexpected message from race finish. Inglesbrough and into Checkpoint director Wayne inviting me to join 3- Filled up bottles, grabbed As I ran on to the finish I could the UGB Ultras team as one of its see the huge Pennine Barrier UGB handfulls of food to eat whilst race ambassadors. I was honoured banner, Hearing the claps and moving. to be asked, they have been great cheers was incredible. I finished Running into Horton-in- 3rd overall, 1st lady and 9:58 (sub at supporting me and every little Ribblesdale I had lost sight of any 10 hour goal)! More than I ever detail goes into the organization of runners behind me and seemed expected. their races to ensure all runners are to have set myself a clear lead. rd looked after, so I’m very proud to The sun was beating down now I’m happy to say 3 male arrived 2 th with temperatures of apporx 30 minutes after me, 4 overall! now be part of the team! degrees and no breeze. It was hot!! As the rest of the runners came ■UW■ I kept myself hydrated in-between the checkpoints with water and electrolytes. Running over the shoulder of Pen-Y-Ghent and to the last of the checkpoints (which was also the first Silverdale) I was greeted by 2 very enthusiastic volunteers who gave me loads of encouragement, when I started to feel myself flagging in the heat. I’m on the final stretch back to Malham, 10 miles to go!! I got my second wind coming through Malham Tarn, I managed to get a better running pace going and the legs started to feel the life

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Imber Ultra - view from the rear (or tales of a sweep runner) Author & Photos: Mick Farrar the miles and it was a then nine miles on the course I have done both Saturday before the race during the day and at on Sunday. Saturday night so there would be evening I quickly no surprises. Over the gathered my kit and winter I had trained over packed what I would the initial miles/hills and need, mainly lots of food led a group of runners and warm clothing! The training for the ultra out going could be slow and beyond checkpoint one we may be out on the and back on a freezing course for a few hours. morning. “I know it is wet and the Over the week before sun is not sunny, but we the race I had been can have lots of good fun ramping up the miles, that is funny” - Dr Seuss as my training schedule was suggesting 70 The overnight rain had accumulated miles. This left the ground wet and meant a half marathon the choice of (starting) during the week and shoes was a no-brainer,

never thought you Some of the AVR Iwere a fool, But massive at registration darling, look at you - U2

Race date: 11 March 2018 Avon Valley Runners Location: Salisbury Plain Weather/Conditions: Mild with some light rain showers. Still some defiant snow.

After chatting with Ian Harryman about the idea of running sweep for the Imber Ultra, having run it last year in a less than ideal conditions, I decided to offer my help to others. I needed

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starting arch and in a few At the top of the first moments, the race began, major climb, we saw a a lap around the field to runner photographing spread the runners out. the snow remnants. He As Ian was still sorting explained he had flown his pack we moved slowly over from Australia and through the start towards had to go out and buy the photographer, a long sleeve top and posing and smiling, and leggings for the race as, looking ahead at the early where he came from “shufflers”. Out of the there was no need for sports field and up the them. At the top of the first hill we were close on climb, we turned right the tail of a lady who, she onto the range road for a explained, had run an mile before turning left ultra the day before and again and down towards was in training for the Warminster Camp. We MDS. We chatted as we picked up Mark Ogden moved onto the road and from Westbury Running up the second hill, Ian Group and started to sharing his knowledge of push him on towards the MDS and me playing the CPs within time. joker.

Spot the Aussie Still runners in the distances at this point anything with lots of grip! pair of road shoes with Arriving at the race car my trusty crew member, park (a nearby school) I Maria, that I would was met by two stewards change at the beginning and sent to another car of the road section at park as the caretaker had Gore Cross. A good plan not turned up. I parked that could have been and had a quick hello executed better. hug with Paula Jones (2017 first female) and As the 9am start loomed, waited for the minibus the bag drop/hall became to the start. Ian turned packed with (many up shortly after and we nervous) runners and bundled onto the shuttle Richard Hudson gave the bus to the leisure centre race brief, when asked where the race starts. if there were any first- time ultra runners many While the racers were hands went up. Ian and I registering, Ian and I glanced at each other, it attended the marshals could be a long day. brief and were introduced to the CP marshals. At Everyone filtered out onto this point, I secreted a the sports field to the

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A touch bleak at times! James said there were but was able to walk and several runners missing at a good speed. We force and I explained about marched up the hill to the runners on the CP4, where I changed wrong track. Mark was my shoes to road shoes extremely brave to get (thank you Maria!), had a this far while recovering quick coffee and headed from injury and having a out again. Just another lot on his mind - both Ian half marathon to go!! Her and I send our thoughts time was tight but at the and prayers to you. pace we were marching, achievable. Catherine Ian and Mark arrived kept up a good speed, the shortly after me and after route from CP4 is open a short brief from James and at times beautiful but we set off to catch up with undulating and a long the new back-runner who stretch on the tarmac. was some 10 minutes in front. We set off running The rain that had been and caught up with her threatening finally turned at Gore Cross, just before up and we stopped the climb to CP4. quickly to extract and put Up and over Battlesbury continue, shortly after on our waterproof tops. Hill and Middle Hill starting this stage he Catherine Crofts, The Plain around Imber to CP 1 where the first decided that he would running her first ultra, is high and you can see casualties of the day withdraw at CP3. We had picked up a knee the rain clouds sweeping were with the Marshals. met a runner returning injury early in the race in low across the hills, Ultra races are hard, to CP2 who was feeling there is no dishonour in sick and retiring from the Catherine and Ian on the last few miles. stopping. One runner race, saying her friends was heading back to the were carrying on and start had decided that the pointed to a track that navigation of the course was not part of the route. would be too much and although we volunteered We passed Copehill to take them round, it Down German Village was not to be. and before long we could see the roofs of the Onwards and up over buildings at Westdown Scratchbury Hill before Camp, Tilshead. As picking up the range road we crossed behind the near Heytesbury, Mark houses at Tilshead and started to slow again dropped towards the as we ran over the tank road I headed off to tracks and drew closer speak to James Crawford, to Chitterne. We arrived lead Marshal, to let after the cut off time but him know that Mark they allowed Mark to would be dropping out.

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meaning the turnoff talking about desert A Grand Day Out back to Westbury now racing I also learned visible. We turned off that I was better looking towards the final descent, than a camel (which is the route was extremely nice), something I may muddy and I used my have engraved on my running poles for stability headstone. - even so, the road shoes had no traction and I Ian and I talked some almost slid down the hill. real rubbish, mostly Ian was also in road shoes about food, but we put and was having a similar the world to right and ate issue! Down to the our own weight in cakes. Wellhead Drove and then Ian will be my pacer at along Wellhead Lane the Thames Path 100, I’m before finally entering glad he is available as we Leighton Recreation both have the same insane Centre and they last few streak that allows us to Marshals and Catherine’s carry on through hurt friends to cheer her in. and pain to focus on the giving you plenty of time ranks. CP5 appeared She finished in 8:38:01, goal. I’ve made my peace to prepare before the rain on the horizon and we still smiling!!! with Imber but I still have arrives. passed through quickly, many miles to go. only a bottle of Lucozade It had been a long day but A patrol of soldiers and and a cup of water left, I really enjoyed helping Again? Yea, maybe directing staff came out and set off on the final people. I had my first after the TP100 I may of the training area and miles. blisters in many months, volunteer again. along the range road. We caused by swapping to chatted with the soldiers We passed Bratton Hoka shoes which are https://runningoffthe and wished them well as Camp and the chalk pit, well cushioned but with madness.blogspot.com/ we passed through their the range path flag pole a narrow toe box. While ■UW■ Looking out over Westbury

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Convergence 2018 By Helen Pike, Photos courtesy Paul Cannon “standard” marathon/ultra-races had been diminishing lately, this sounded like the perfect challenge. Rewards are given accordingly - travel from 30 miles away or fewer, a certificate only. 30 to 60 miles a Silver Convergence medal, 60 to 90 miles Gold and 90 plus miles the coveted Black Convergence medal. So obviously the question had to be “How far could/should I go?” My first thoughts were to go for the 90+ and I got busy planning the most direct,and therefore road,route possible. I immediately realised a massive problem – I don’t enjoy road running and couldn’t think of anything worse than spending 24 hours alone on a busy highway. So, my route had to be predominantly off road. Tea, cookies and my Dad’s OS maps came out and I started planning afresh. Descending Cavedale in I picked out a route from Waseley the penultimate mile Hills (South Birmingham) that followed the Monarch’s Way, cutting through urban Smethwick onvergence by Beyond you will eventually rank. Arrive to join the Rushall Canal to CMarathon immediately one minute late and you are cruelly Chasewater. From there I would grabbed my attention when it disqualified. head along the Heart of England was announced last Autumn. The Way, through Cannock Chase, to The Crow (Race Director Richard) premise of the challenge is you join the Staffordshire Way from watches all of those Converging, have 24 hours to run to Hope in Rugeley to Thorpe. Then a night- the Peak District from anywhere using Race Drone event tracking. time jaunt up the Tissington in the UK. Those who travel the The sting in the tail though is that Trail (disused railway) to join the furthest, rank highest. To add to all distances are measured as the Limestone Way to Hope. The route the intrigue, you tell no one where crow flies NOT your actual miles would total about 85 miles (66.7 as you intend to start from. That run! Making this equally a test of the crow flies) with 1917m ascent. way you are blind-betting against planning, logistics and navigation It would only qualify for the Gold everyone else as to how far away as endurance fitness. As the buzz Award but the terrain would be you will start, and thus, how high I was getting from completing trickier and I could always add to it

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out. With race day a week away, I marked in the checkpoints where my partner Paul would meet me with a car boot full of supplies. To ensure safety as a solo female runner, these checkpoints were approximately every five-seven miles. As a precaution, I would carry strips of fabric that I could tie to a post in case we missed each other. That way Paul would know that I’d passed through safely and move on to the next meeting point rather than worryingly start searching for me. Through guesswork, recce data and rough later. Mapping and navigation was On each day’s recce, I discovered predictions, I estimated my finish not one of my strengths so I felt numerous problems that had to time to be 8.00am Sunday. very pleased with myself and got be solved. Field after field of un- Race day arrived in glorious 20 my brother Alan to create a GPX runnable buttercup meadows, degree sunshine. I felt excited and file of the route. sections of path with nettles up confident that I had controlled as to my ears, moved stiles and Luckily, I had a week off work many variables as possible to give ploughed fields. Over the week, coming up and decided to recce me the best shot at completing the I encountered so many herds of the entire route by either running challenge. On top of Waseley Hills cows that either stood blocking or cycling 14ish miles each day viewpoint at 12 noon, I switched the stile I needed to climb or and stopping in youth hostels my tracker on and was incredibly chased me that I began to develop overnight. Having never holidayed honoured to be joined by a group a phobia. On entering a field, the alone before this was an adventure of local running ladies who gave mere sight of a wet cowpat would in itself. This proved to be me a grand send-off running the have me, heart racing, shaking and invaluable to my Convergence race. first mile with me. starting to sweat. After the first four mile off-road section (the Monarch’s Way), Each I made my way through the evening hilly urban area of Smethwick, I nipped, Birmingham. Unfortunate but tucked or necessary road miles to take me to completely the No. 5 national cycle path and abandoned the Rushall Canal. Now I could and re- relax, 13 sweltering miles of canal, planned with 80’s disco on my iPod for sections company. I greeted passing runners until I had and cyclists thinking how bizarre it my final was that I was running to the Peak GPX route District. Timewise I was on track mapped and Paul was expertly topping

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had been happening throughout the day. Paul told me tales of other Convergers he had spotted and helped throughout the day. I had planned to run the 15 mile Tissington Trail through the night as it’s hard-packed trail and impossible to get lost. Arriving at midnight, I was bang on time and feeling fantastic. After a delicious pot of cold baked beans, Paul ran the initial 100m tunnel with me for safety reasons, then I was off. I’m always slightly nervous before up my snacks and refilling my runner, I knew with a bit of grit running alone in the dark but I 500ml bottle hourly with Tailwind and determination I could do this needn’t have been. Apart from thus minimising the weight I was (I needed to “man-up” basically!). the occasional flapping of birds in carrying. I was delighted to discover that trees all was calm and serene. I did After Chasewater, 3.5 road miles some of the grassy meadows ponder though on the possibility took me to the Castle Ring at had been baled and the cows of a crazed axe-murderer tracking Cannock Chase. At 5pm the woods were unusually docile. Reaching me on Racedrone and knowing provided a much welcome change Uttoxter at 9pm, I grabbed my exactly how fast I was moving up of scenery and shade. Thoroughly headtorch and put on full body the Trail. This sparked a suggestion enjoying myself I approached cover for a particularly evil section to Richard at the finish that Rugeley where a small girl came of head-high nettled and brambled runners be listed by first name flying down the hill and fell off path. With my arms covering my initial and surname only to prevent her scooter right in front of me. face I felt invincible and powered solo females being identified and Screaming loudly, (her not me) I on through. Not invincible enough targeted. checked she wasn’t badly hurt (Just though to brave the nine fields After touching base with Paul a few grazes) and walked her to her of cows I knew there would be at Alsop Carpark, I caught up Nanny’s house. between Ellastone and Thorpe! I with Lucinda and Matt who had therefore, at 11pm, decided to leave planned to walk the trail through Leaving Rugeley at 6pm on a the Staffordshire Way, change into the night. I joined them and small section of canal, I plodded road shoes and Hi-Vis, and run chatted for a while but I became on joining the Staffordshire 5.5 country lane miles to join the too cold and decided to run on Way at Colton village. Meeting Tissington Trail at Ashbourne. Paul at 7pm at Abbots Bromley alone to warm up. When I stopped I changed into trail shoes and For safety on the lanes, Paul at Hartington, to put on extra started using caffeinated Tailwind patiently drove alongside me clothes and grab an egg sandwich, to keep my energy levels topped to prevent me being mown Lucinda and Matt passed me but up. During my route recces the down by unsuspecting late night I soon caught them up again. It’s Staffordshire had proven to be a vehicles. This was great as it was worth noting that the public toilets most problematic path due to knee an opportunity for a proper chat at Tissington and Parsley Hay are high meadows, nettles, midges through the car window rather open all night which were very and COWS! But as a seasoned trail than the three minute pit stops that welcome after 13 hours of bushes

52 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 Race Report and great for a warm up! Reaching, the end of the trail in misty Hurdlow at 4.15am, I felt cold, damp and knew I needed to keep moving. Swapping back to trail shoes, I left my head torches, grabbed some food and joined the Limestone Way for the final 14 miles. Easy to navigate and beautiful scenery ahead of me, my spirits were high. Humming “Oh, what a beautiful morning…” watching the sunrise over Flagg was a delight to be cherished forever! The steep rise out of Millers earned Gold Medal Award and a Dale, was challenging but fun. shiny Female Solo distance Winner My right knee (the supposedly Approaching Peak Forest I met plate. Other podium awards went good one!) started to complain three runners sat by the side of to James Beechley “Male Solo but only on rocky downhills. the A623 - Simon, Simon and lady Winner” 95.7 crow miles (112 Uphill and flats were pain free whose name (not Simon) I forget. mile distance travelled) 1661m and even grassy downs were Their visible flesh was completely ascent, Ricky and James – “1st fine. I was frustrated at having covered in bramble scratches and Pair Winners” at 61.2 crow miles to walk the adrenalin boosting nettles stings from the overgrown (2140m ascent) and Riccardo technical descents I’d been looking Staffordshire Way path leaving Giussani won the “Hillary Tenzing forward to. Reaching Miller’s Uttoxeter. I immediately felt Ascent Award” with an impressive Dale at 5.45am (76 miles run) I grateful I’d recce-d the route 4804 m over 32 crow miles. was starting to feel a little tired beforehand and covered myself so picked up some oranges, Cliff up but terribly guilty not to have So how did this Ultra compare Shotblocks, my first “not-real- flagged it up on the Facebook page to others? Convergence for me food” of the race and a cool patch to warn people. has been an amazing journey of for my knee. Still wearing my self-growth. I had been out of my jacket meant that I was alternating Leaving, Peak Forest at 7am, I comfort zone right from the route between being too hot in the now felt euphoric, my favourite planning stage, through navigating sun and just-right in the mist, so four mile section, over Old Moor lonesome recces and prepping race I opted for a vest and gloves to and down into ankle-breaking day logistics. Immensely proud continue. Cavedale, was ahead of me and I of my achievement, I now have was on track for my predicted 8am the confidence to take on other finish. Paul met me halfway down navigational challenges and feel Cavedale for photos then took my the thrill of a newly purchased racepack so I could sprint (Ha Ha!) OS map! Would I do it again? – the final road mile from Castleton Definitely! I know I could travel to Hope with just the tracker in my further and if I was able to find an hand. Arriving full of smiles enjoyable off-road route I might at 8.01am, I proudly crossed the be persuaded to take a shot at the finish line and was immediately Black next year… greeted by Richard with my well- ■UW■

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 53 Race Report Running the Mind Emma Hottinger

5:45, feeling exhausted, I’ve overslept. I had on the same costal path as my race, gave me some 0spent six hours on the delightful Arriva Wales armchair expert advice “The first 50 miles are the train service the day before, and I felt a twitchy hardest and the rest is in the mind”. stream of adrenaline for adventure. The start was About a month or two before the race I got on the beach in Dale, South West Pembrokeshire, “race fever”. I have decided that this is a medical I couldn’t have asked for a more glorious morning, condition, I caught a viral infection along with life was smiling on me. “Does anybody have a hit to my mental determination. I woke up in any questions? Okay, GO!” – Race Director (Joe sweats thinking about joining the navy, and then Simmons) the Pembrokeshire 100 mile race. even applied to the Royal marines in search of mental discipline, luckily I never signed anything. I allowed my reckless attitude to weigh out all possibilities, as I felt like I had to prepare for war. Race fever gave me tunnel vision of how to get psyched, as, let’s face it, your body basically eats itself while running an ultra.

During the first 30 miles my mind was quiet and No one is ever ready for a 100 miler, it doesn’t my feet felt comfortable (even though I had a matter how much you physically train, or mentally black toe). Three weeks before I had completed prepare. I was ambivalent, weighing up which the Pendine Sands ultra, this race had a seven mile elements were vital in my planning, however I beach section which was the site where early land never really committed to a defined training plan. speed world records were broken. Running on the sand was horrific and I was not breaking any speed During the first 12 miles a Welsh woman walking records. I feel exposing myself to this extreme

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environment helped me build up cardiovascular I had ever run continuously. I sat down shivering, power endurance and psychological tolerance from was given some soup and a coffee at which point I boredom. I even ran without my glasses as going got out my “Venn diagram of success”, and saw the blind helped me with high intensity training. second intersection said “Happiness?”. 16:00, to my horror at checkpoint 4 I was told Night running, I bloody loved it. In my barely that I hadn’t made the checkpoint cut-off, what!? conscious state I lead a pack of five men trailing The volunteers were short staffed and had to through the moonlight. I hadn’t done any previous reach other checkpoints for faster participants. running at night, and I remember telling my They shuffled me into a van to wait for the race housemate a week before how scared I was about organiser, for a decision about my continuation running through Sefton Park in Liverpool. So I of the race. I felt completely deflated. This was my guess you could say I was feeling pretty out of first 100 miler and the night before I thought I best practice. My assumptions about running at night check the race category on runultra.com, “Brutal”. time were, it was the time of day that made me I started questioning my ability to complete the nervous, but I’ve come to the conclusion it was race only when other people doubted me. Another more the positive or negative energies of people more experienced runner, Tim, who came in around me. behind me refused to stop, he explained his pacing, reiterated that there were no checkpoint cut-offs and continued on the course. I had been getting mixed advice from the volunteers and was fuming. Suddenly another runner came through, Ray – the ultra legend – who runs ultras every other week. I then felt comfortable to continue following in their footsteps together they gave me the reassurance to carry on.

“Passionate people don’t wear their passion on their sleeves; they have it in their hearts” How Google Works - Erick Schmidt & Jonathan Rosenberg 2014 Don’t you just hate it when people ask your minute 07:00, there was a noticeable tipping point in miles? In the course of running competitively runners dropping out, between 50-65 miles. This for two years, I have tested and redefined what coastal path faced a point called Stumble Head. environments make me feel humble. Fell running I like to call it stumble or dead. I felt intoxicated, was a clear path for me to take because I am a withered, and was trying to fight sleep deprivation. rock climber and revel in nature. Road running The sunrise felt like it was lasting forever in this didn’t give me the same feeling of calmness. On moment of solitude. a flat surface there is no fight against gravity and minute miles can be more precisely measured. I 75 miles, second drop bag at Fishguard in North feel these kind of statistics become meaningless in Pembrokeshire, couldn’t wait to put clean clothes the ultrarunning world because of the undulating on, I felt that the cleanliness lifted my mood and mountains, and I am not built like a cheetah. got to wear my Penny Lane Striders top. 23:30, I reached the 50 mile point, the furthest that The bag drops are the place that you can bring

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personal things to the race that make you feel me onwards, but when I reached the gate there good. The Venn diagram helped recharge my was no gate, only two gateposts and the farmer mental state, a fresh pair of pants had the same had dissipated. I realised that I must have been feeling as a new day. The intersections allowed me hallucinating as there wasn’t a second observer to to identify what was important to bring, I failed confirm my reality was real, at which point I sped because I didn’t bring any fresh batteries. up and dusted my thoughts off. The quality of our belief in our selves is measured in these events. As a chemist who makes colour for “I never found the companion that was so a living, there was always going to be light at the companionable as solitude” end of my tunnel. Henry David Thoreau 19:00, mile 99, happy and a bit of an anti-climax. I knew my Dad and Sue would come support me on the second day but had no idea where they would be, since I was not contactable. During the race I had been disconnected from society (apart from running with a tracker). There was no compulsion to use the layer of technology, that I feel we succumb to in our daily lives, to not feel alone. By surprise at around mile 86 Sue’s head popped over the cliff and these huge arms fanned out, I completely broke down. I heard Sue say “You know you can stop if you want”,“Are you actually kidding!” I retorted. Sue grinned as I sprinted away from her. At 89 miles, the sun beamed on my dry skin. I noticed my pace increased, as I started to sweat and grit my teeth, just to push my body up the last mountain cliff paths. It was the fastest running that I had done throughout the whole race, and I had no idea where the energy was coming from (I suspect the two hot dogs that I had at 5 am). The previous day I had been eating every 15- 30mins regardless of if I was hungry. There is a hypothesis, called central governing theory which states, in long distance races an athlete increases their acceleration in the final stages with this idea of a finishing kick. During this mad burst of All Photos courtesy Fred Hottinger resourceful energy I had a few hallucinations. I except Sue Hottinger (last image) saw an old farmer waiting at a gate encouraging ■UW■

56 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 The free online Ultra magazine

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Contact us: [email protected] Race Report Chester Ultra 50 Author: Sally Ford, Photo: courtesy Epic Events

sunk into the mud and tried to avoid weave through pretty woodland. Then sliding into the river. Not only does came a string of muddy fields to get the mud make it a slower race but the through, with lots of thick, clay like risk of blisters increases significantly mud making traction difficult and lots whilst running in wet shoes. You of mud sticking to my shoes. I felt at couldn’t avoid getting wet but I tried times as if I was wearing lead boots. my best to skirt round the bigger Running through it really tested my puddles. fitness but I think sheer stubbornness Up to the second checkpoint I was prevented me from walking. Ultra level pegging with another woman running is 50% fitness and 50% but as we skirted Chester racecourse mental determination but the mud I started picking up the pace on the definitely tested both. I think I was at tarmac canal path and pulled away a bit of an advantage being near the from the rest of the pack. I’m not a fan front - I can only imagine what it was of canal running but it was a welcome like after 200 pairs of feet had been break from the boggy riverside. By through here! now we were well spread out. Whilst After checkpoint 6 the route took us being near the front of the field is the back onto a canal again for 5 miles ran the inaugural Chester Ultra 50 aim, it can make for a lonely race and or so to the finish back at Waverton Ilast year under blue skies and sat there’s the added pressure of making which again was welcome after the at the finish sunbathing in shorts and sure you go the right way. Fortunately muddy fields.I know many struggled t-shirt. It was pretty obvious this year this race was really well marked and later on with this section as the mud would be different the week before the I only looked at the gps route for got churned up, and it rained heavily race, when most places where under reassurance a few times. later on, but it wasn’t too bad when I a blanket of snow. On the morning Checkpoint 3 was nearly halfway and was there. The route is actually nearer of the race, the 3am alarm call was in a village hall at Dunham Hill. The 52 miles. Why do those extra miles accompanied by the sound of rain checkpoints were all well stocked feel like the longest? hammering on the roof and as we and manned by a lovely bunch of As I crossed the finish line I was told drove to the start there was a lot of volunteers offering to help fill bottles I’d knocked 21 minutes off my own flooding on the road. It was going to and giving words of encouragement. I winning time from last year. Not sure be muddy!! grabbed a banana (which I can’t stand how I managed that but I was more After registration kit check and a when I’m not running, but is just right than happy to finish first lady and fifth briefing in Waverton village hall, during a race like this) and kept on overall in just over 8 hours. we set off at 6am. The light was just going. By now there were glimmers of Wayne and the team at GB ultras have starting to appear and my headtorch sun and it was starting to warm up. created just what the north of England soon became redundant but within The second half was a little more needed. A fantastic set of ultra races the first couple of miles we were lumpy. Some big hills came not long covering some of the northwest’s ankle deep in mud and splashing and after the checkpoint - first Helsby finest trails. But more than that a though large puddles. It had stopped Hill and then Fordsham Hill and wonderful community of runners raining though! Woodhouse Hill, and then up into and volunteers making this race The first half of the course is fairly flat, and through Delamere Forest. The perfect for experienced ultra runners, country lanes and surfaced canals, and sun was shining by now and we were there’s a great PB potential in the much of it runnable at a decent pace. treated to some great views from the right conditions, and first time ultra There were some riverside sections hill tops. Delamere is my favourite bit runners looking for the next step up which were hard going as you just of this race. Lots of runnable trails that from a marathon. ■UW■

58 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018

Race Report STAN JEWELL’S - 1960 JOGLE Part 2 Beauly to Somerset

ednesday was a Wday and night full incident. A man in Beauly on the outskirts of town came up to me, “Hello son, going far today?”, “Hopefully” I replied, “It’s a hard road in front of you, the Struy is a tough mountain road with little shelter in good weather”. My map - I had not referred to it for a long time, “Thank you sir, I will be aware” Daylight was fading. Cracking on, he was perfectly correct, the Struy was formidable, especially in darkness. The quietness was total. All alone I had a good night’s work. On summit of Struy the lights of Beauly behind, Drumnadrochit in front on the North end of Loch Ness, were vivid in cold frosty night air. Still in good shape I headed towards Loch Ness, again in solitude. I wondered why so few participants were encountered on the route down the North shore of Loch Ness. The West side of the “B” road skirted the Loch all the way to Fort Augustus. Still happy and moving along but getting tired after a good but long day and night. Milton village had a

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timber bus shelter, my with him was proving reference to miners, I son down on the frosty next rest. Inside I quickly difficult. He provided foolishly accepted his grass verge. “My word”, nodded off to sleep. me with his credentials, bet. Still a little stiff I did not say, or enquire Six hours later back on he was a Lord’s son. from my extended sleep, about anything, just took the Lochside road. The Regular updates on his I soon lagged behind heart and ran on. The early morning was bitter progress were relayed his long ramrod stride. Invermoriston white cold, frosty and ice on daily in local/national On and on further and signpost was reached. I the road, making for newspapers. He enquired further he got away. I waited patiently for his treacherous travelling about my standing in life, was in trouble, I could Lordship, no show. conditions. Before I had telling him I was a miner hardly run, the icy roads shaken stiffness off and in Northern coalfields. preventing me. I said I carried on, and to struggling a bit, a tall After a brief pause, he to myself “that’s it, you my surprise I was in figure came beside me, hit me with a rather rude have blown a hole in big trouble. Aching “OK number 7” spoken challenge. Invermoriston your budget. Whatever and cold then sweating in an authoritative Castle on the way to was I thinking taking caused discomfort big manner. “Good morning Fort Augustus, was a him on?” I continued to style. First hotel was to you”, I replied. He breakfast and rest stop, a push on with no sign. the Inchnadarroch conversed with me in full 12 miles away. “OK A thaw allowed me to before Fort Augustus. A his haughty accent. earthworm, I will have run. Coming to the grand hotel, normally I I was at unease with you a wager, the last one first sign of the Castle, would have gone by and his superior manner. to Invermoriston buys appearing on the side dismissed, its facilities Keeping it together breakfast”. Hurt by his of road was the Lord’s being too expensive.

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 61 Race Report

Circumstances were dire reaction, I was soaked for a little while and let reception my throat was I was in need of shelter wet through. The covers, us know when you are dry. Asking for a drink and rapid. Entering the sheets were wet through, ready”. The maid made of water, the man who hotel, breakfast was in had I weed in the bed? me a hot toddy, with saw me in the bedroom, full swing. Stares aplenty No! It was something plenty of sugar in it. I looked me over, “Sure by guests and staff. A more serious. A man drank and slept. you are up to leaving?” table was offered to me and a lady came into “Yes sir”. At the desk by waitress staff. I sat my room. I was most I requested to pay the After two hours, I down at the table with apologetic, “How do you bill. Imagining an earth wandered downstairs, shattering moment, the starched white linen feel son?” I got out of in a peculiar state of tablecloth, full silver bed slowly. My legs were receptionist said “Would mind. “Sit down”, a eight shillings be OK service and with top weak. “Sore” I replied. maid said, “would you class china. “Breakfast I informed them of my for you sir”. “Indeed, like some hot tea”, “Yes it would”, I replied, sir?”, “Yes please”. The five-day history. The please”, “and food”, she room was beautiful, but man told me it was mild thanking all the staff for said, “OK thanks, yes I their kindness. I needed rest as well hypothermia. Extremely would, I would like that as food. Putting my bad considering the very much”. I cleared my hands on the table, I temperatures I had meal and drank my tea, Resuming the walk put my head down on endured without any now came the crunch. was strange. My body my hands and crashed warm lengthy sleep. A I had stayed around 16 was sore, my legs were out. Twelve hours later maid came, cleaned the hours, in a high-class weak. Five days efforts I woke up in a bedroom bed, putting fresh linen hotel, although it was saw me in the top 20 of the hotel. First on, “Now go back to sleep very necessary. Going to but wide open to the

62 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 Race Report worst elements Northern Scotland had endured. Encountering the second checkpoint at Laggan, another random post set up, my documents were scrutinised. Over 400 retired, 100 disqualified, I was down in the 60’s after my enforced rest. Struggling on, another 17 miles covered, hungry, very tired and concerned. The sixth day was my worst by far but grateful I was still continuing. Through Fort William, with Ben Nevis obscured with winter cloud, I enjoyed some good company on Come along”. I followed “we will walk away with to the workforce of the road. It seemed lower her to what seemed to you, the dance is on the Kinlochleven. Coming down the field people be council houses in a roadside”. Surrounded by into Glen Coe alone in were more relaxed smaller style. Turned young ladies, we chatter the darkness was scary, although many had out they were houses to along the road. Noticing after stories circulated back-up. On the topic rent for the aluminium most of them wore about the place. We of back-up, none of the workers at the nearby scarves and gloves to had now completed promised aid stations plant. A large black their elbows, I enquired our first major detour. had I seen at all. bungalow range fire was about the fashion. At the From Inverness-shire to most welcome, sitting factory most employees Argyll and Bute, from beside it on a small suffer from boils. Scarves East to West. Mist came, The scenery was wooden chair I soon and gloves hide them followed by the first brilliant, seals in Loch dozed off for around from view, “It’s something heavy rainfall. Rannoch Leven, buzzards on the four hours. Awakened by we have to suffer to get a Moor in front of me, a overhead telephone happy voices of young regular pay day”. With desolate, isolated place lines, deer in the forests. that, with music blazing Passing the Corran ladies preparing for the stretching out to Bridge monthly dance in the out, they said goodbye of Orchy. Only broken Ferry, I was feeling and went to the dance. better, pressing on village. “Want to come by Kingshouse Hotel, an towards Onich and Laddie?”, they invited ancient hostelry on the finally Kinlochleven me. I was tempted, Lonely on the road to side of Rannoch Moor, village. Whilst resting reminding of days with Glen Coe, my mind frequented by tourists. on the road bridge, a friends at home at local thought about the boils Again, I experienced lady asked me if I was dance halls. “Thank on the attractive young total solitude, vehicles staying anywhere that you very much for your girls, what a shame but on the road were nearly night, “No”, I replied, invitation, I must carry miners risked hazards non-existent. I was “No arrangements? on”. “OK”, they all said, as well. I felt close moving better, and

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pushed on. Suddenly music was heard on the moor, coming from in front of me. I hurried towards it. Five Scottish men were belting out marching tunes of quality. “Good evening to you, I appreciated your singing back there”, “OK Laddie, on the 1000 miles are you”, “Yes I am”, “Well we are going to Kingshouse for a do, walk with us till we get there”. Inspiring to hear music on the wild Rannoch Moor. A rather pleasant milled around. Gus held over a week had gone by whisky distilleries, a few hours covered. a random checkpoint. and apart from my bad mecca for Glasgow/ “Goodbye laddie”, and Documents checked, and spell at Fort Augustus, I Edinburgh tourists. Just they belted out “Keep information passed on. remained in good shape. before Strathyre on the right on till the end of Around 450 left in the Sleep and hunger always roadside, beside the loch, the road”, as they walked race out of 1,300 starters. taking priority. I had a family on a picnic. down to the castle type I was in 42nd position, learned to get by on four Their transport was a hotel. with a big group just in to six hours sleep, when wonderful Rolls Royce, front of me, from the the opportunity arose with mahogany interior Once again alone, Midlands/Birmingham to get it. One meal a day and plush white seating, I pushed on, until area. A postbox nearby, was sufficient, usually complete with beautiful a middle-aged lady so I posted cards for early morning, or late tent and awning. They appeared in front of home. A man asked me evening, when available. invited me to share me. “Hello”, I greeted of my correspondence. Now arriving in the their drink and food. her, “Soon is daylight”. Told him of my purpose. Central Highlands, more The children, all girls, No answer. Together “Very nice, very nice”, he choices were available to required my autograph, we matched each other repeated. Much more participants on the road. which I duly signed. The stride for stride. No company now on the Downside was more man and lady of course conversation until the road to Tyndrum. A traffic encountered. questioned me on my rain became heavy again. railway station splits journey. He was a doctor, A load of bad language towards Oban, on the she was a nurse. When was spoken by her. Then High platform, on Lower In March 1960, cars I mentioned the bad nothing, there was total platform to Fort William. were plentiful especially incident, I had endured silence. Bridge of Orchy Arriving at Tyndrum, day trippers at the early on, after 5 days, reached, she completely food, drink and rest in weekend. Crainlarich, both conversed together disappeared into a small local tea rooms, were Strathyre, Callander, for a while, then the croft. All types, all sorts, very welcome. Despite all pretty villages with doctor said,“Yes son, on this venture. Outside the long slog over rivers, lochs, forests, hypothermia, you were Orchy a group of people Rannoch Moor, well mountains, and the lucky indeed to recover

64 Ultrarunning World | 13 / 2018 Race Report so quickly. I am amazed you covered 17 miles the day after”, the lady then said,“Indeed son, you must not let that happen again, absolutely not”. Children were convinced I was the youngest on the road and photographs were taken, I could not disappoint them, not knowing that a younger RAF cadet was well behind me. Reaching Callander I met up with a Geordie from Ashington, Northumberland. off the cuff, not planned solitude but in a very most of the way to make nor arranged. I enquired different environment. up time I would lose A fine young man in what his employment Villages were more over Beattock. Slowly his late 20’s, he too was was. He was a riveter readily convenient, but surely traffic built well up until blisters in shipbuilding, quite a although areas spoiled up, lorries sounded their and ankle problems surprise with manners by increased traffic. horns, cars pumped. I hampered his progress. and popularity he I pressed onwards. A remained on the grass Heavy built around controlled in abundance. vehicle drew up beside verge, treading warily. 13 stone with a jovial He confided in me, strict me. Gus Britton, asked Progress was slow and attitude to everything Methodist parents gave to see my documents. tedious but I had to be no matter what. He him values as a child, What a surprise. After patient and tolerate the was great company, his although he rebelled stamping, he warned circumstances. For ages manners were top notch against them he never me of Beattock ahead. it went on, I did not want as we travelled together forgot their honesty and “Tough hill, heavy traffic, to be in the dark which for three days or so, well-being to all matters. many lorries, keep to the was not far off. I tried down into the industrial grass footpath if possible, desperately to quicken towns of Airdrie and you are now 37th place my efforts. My legs and on to Lanark, easy to Down into the Northern with 400 left on the road. feet upset by walking on sleep places and plenty towns of Southern We are still eliminating the unfamiliar terrain. of choice to eat. All Scotland, Biggar, Kelso, people for lifting, our A wider traffic footpath free mostly courtesy Peebles. Geordie’s monitoring skills have gave a chance to jog a of bus shelters, farms problems returned with improved immensely little alongside the traffic. and interested people a vengeance. Swollen since the start, see you Soon thankfully it was paying our bills. Geordie ankles and large blisters later, bye”. over and I could relax would display enormous forced him to retire. I from the uncomfortable charm, when discovering was so sad to lose such hill and grass verge. his bill had been paid. a good companion. I Gratified by the A mannerism of great wished him well and knowledge of what lay technique, but totally carried on. Again, ahead, I ran and jogged, Lockerbie, Abington,

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Crawfordbooth, rules than me, but please Penrith. Morning was round the room, drivers Ecclefechan, Kirkpatrick make your voices heard wet with grey skies and were stood up queueing Fleming, before somewhere else, not in a poor visibility. I scoured waiting for a table. I motorways the “A” road public place for everyone the road for a shelter. A got up and motioned to supplied a through route. to hear your valid, or greasy spoon was ideal, one. He came over, said Easy to navigate, back invalid complaints”. Just packed with lorry drivers “Thanks and good luck”. to a rhythm of run, jog, as I finished the made-up on the Scotland/England Outside I buttoned up, walk, eat, drink and speech, Gus Britton and trunk runs. Requesting securely fastened my sleep. I arrived at a Little his companion walked a fry-up and large tea I laces and returned to the Chef in Kirkpatrick in right on cue. I said sat down near a warm daily grind. Fleming. Around 10 End goodbye to them on my Calor gas fire, situated to Enders were sat down way out. The room was near the outside door. Pushing on, the rain in the café, debating silent. Questions soon came swept roads covered loudly about the distinct thick and fast, “Half-way me in road spray. Soon lack of aid stations son, will you make it?”, Out on the road heading I was soaked. Horns available to them. The or “How far today?”, or for the border with hooted, cars pumped, I meeting became rather England, through Gretna “Where have you come was alone again in harsh heated and the staff Green, mecca for elopers from?”. Doing my best to conditions. The Shap, were concerned for for weddings, I realised answer them, my tea and Kendal and Lancaster other patrons. Going I had almost covered meal rescued me. Again, I memorised from the to the counter to Scotland and reminisced in no time my meal had map. A fairly tidy climb order a light meal and about my time travelling gone washed down with over Shap, followed by tea, lady spotted my to and down, it gave a good brew. My appetite downhill to the market number 7. “You are not me great experiences, was “tip top”, no waste, town of Kendal, on with them I hope” she good and bad but all or picking. I stayed for through Beeston and enquired, “Certainly worthwhile. On I went a while, rain was pelting deer in the pasture fields not”, I said. I could not “Haste Ye Back”, the large down outside. A driver to the City of Lancaster be dragged into the sign said and further on requested a seat at my and the magnificent debate. I sat down with “Welcome to England”. table “Certainly sir, go Skerton Bridge crossing my meal listening to Longtown first and the ahead”, He stuffed his the River Lune. Busy, their complaints. Other Metal Bridge Inn close large portly frame into busy was the city. I people, tourists, lorry to the river passing by. the seat, “Bad weather ploughed on through to drivers, were taking I continued to Carlisle son, bad forecast for a village outside Scorton notice of them. Staff were city with its Castle week”. Very comforting I to find a place to eat/ visibly uncomfortable. I and Cathedral. Many thought but he was only drink and possibly dry maintained composure hotels all in a small area stating the obvious. I my wet clothes. The until the mention of tempted me to stay as started to write postcards small café was next door aid stations, frequented a bonus for covering home from South of to a launderette. An by most of them, were Scotland, my finance Scotland Counties and elderly lady welcomed not adequate. I stood could stand it, I had Cumbria. How many I me in “Look at the state up pronouncing my been shrewd. However, did not count, but quite of you, Oh! God, you number 7. “Nearly, 500 I declined. Instead I a few. “Keeping you busy, are soaked to the skin”. miles covered and not charged on through writing?”, the driver She let me borrow a one aid station have I Northern Cumberland, said. “A little time to large overcoat, which visited. You seem to be not Cumbria, a level catch up, being the rain swamped me, “Go in more in touch with the route overnight to is quite heavy”. I glance the spare room, lock the

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door, and give me your spare room to change. grunted “If you say so”. On and on, industry wet clothes”. I returned They felt so warm and He was a participant after industry. Towards dressed in the overcoat comfortable, my newly with a high number on Wigan, buses, cars and with a carrier bag of dried clothes. Ah! But his coat, which was wet lorries clogged up the sodden clothing, “Jean can’t dwell, “How much” through, along with all main street. Then the will take them next door I asked,” Two shillings his clothing. He looked main railway station and and dry them properly. for the dryer” Joan said. at least 50 years old, but to the outskirts past rows I will fix you a meal “Many thanks Joan and an old 50 years old. His and rows of Victorian and a warm drink.” “I Jean”. I was away, still pace was laboured; his terraces. I sat down on am very glad I called in damp, but nothing like whole being did not look a wayside seat to release here Madam”. Joan said, it was. too good. Ah! Well not one of my trainers. “We will fix you ready my fault. I carried on my My feet were sore and to go, hope the weather way, left him labouring swollen. My bag had a gets better, awful lot of Garstang, Fulwood, along, for how long I did remedy inside but before rain we have had”. My Preston, Wigan on not give much hope for. I could apply ointment, meal and drink again the horizon. Built up Preston city was choked rain came down in a were quickly devoured industrial areas with with traffic and pretty torrent. Quickly rubbing and followed by custard loads of history. The rain hard to negotiate for it in my foot I replaced and apple pie. “Excellent kept off and I was alone a footsore pedestrian. the remedy in its bag, put Joan”, I said. “Glad you again, until I caught Again, hoots and horns my trainer back on and enjoyed it son”. Jean duly up with a Cockney from motorists. I waved was off again looking for returned my dry warm Londoner. “Good day, back occasionally to shelter. A motorist came clothes. Again, I used the better weather”. He just accept their noises. up, “Get in son, out of the

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rain”. I agreed, foot was I sat in a large comfy Cheshire county was we have some learning very tender, and rain was chair, opening my bag, level, with trees, forests to do”, the landlord quite heavy. “Where are “No need son, Lucy the and lush pasture land. winked at me and we you heading”, he asked. nurse will sort you out, Northwich, Tarporley, sat down in a warm “Warrington direction” just relax”. In her blue Whitchurch next snug. Not long before I remarked. “Soon have overall, Lucy, asked me destinations. A soldier he ordered again, “One you there” he remarked. what was troubling me. from Saltash Cornwall, pint of your good ale”, “Oh! No”, said I, “Oh “Both feet nurse, giving joined forces with me. “Not for me”, I blurted no, let me out now, oh! me pain”, “ OK, let’s have “Just had my cards out, “I am off now, good no!, I cannot accept a lift these trainers and socks checked” said Ernest. bye”. Through Tarporley, at all”. The driver was off”.Feet were indeed I panic, never saw the onto Whitchurch, having taken aback but said, swollen, she massaged my post at all, “Don’t worry, minor foot problems “It’s raining and you are lower ankles then feet, probably get you further once more, lower legs having foot trouble”. “ Of then applied warm water down the road. There feeling heavy, swollen, no concern to you, open compress slowly rubbing is a purge on “lifters” I knew to neglect signs this door and I will be ointment to my soles. at the moment, they would be worse in days gone”. Duly he let me out. The effect was soothing. think they are safe, but to come, but I was keen I was more concerned Replacing the compress Gus is a wise bird and to keep going. A cottage if anyone saw me with with hot ones felt good. soon will have them”, hospital in the centre my number 7 clearly on Then applying ointment Ernest relayed that less of Whitchurch seemed view. Getting out of the to toes and upper than 300 were left on ideal to check my vehicle, thinking on my feet, finally removing the road, somewhere problem out. feet I wrote his car make compress and massaging on their uppers and do and registration down both feet. She replaced not expect more than just in case anything was Admitting to myself it socks and trainers, 200 to finish. We were was only a minor stop reported. The rain had fastening laces securely, around the 70 placing. stopped, but I elected but it was the second but not too tight, “Stand I lost heart a little, I was time inside a week it to carry on with a sore up”, she said, “walk going down the order, foot, intending to find had bothered me. An around the room, how do but rain, foot attention examination of both the correct place to they feel”, “Much better and over staying my administer repairs to feet and lower legs was Lucy, thank you.” “You stays all added to loss of both feet at my leisure. done. Doctor sat down are welcome number 7, time. Ernest was easy to with me “Well! Only excuse me, I have patients walk beside and general a good rest will repair Short of Warrington, with four feet”. I laughed, good company however the damage”, realising I after quite a longer and waited for the large he liked a drink or two at would want to carry on, distance than I had man to appear. Eventually night, I soon found out. naturally, he prescribed planned, a Veterinary he came “Still here son, First night together, two anti-inflammatory Surgery appeared. I everything OK?”, “Yes sir, pints of bitter he ordered tablets and strapping enquired at the door how much do I owe you”, in the first pub we came around the lower ankles. “Could I come in and he laughed, “Did Lucy across, the landlord said I agreed, but did not take tend to my feet please”, ask you for payment”, “On the house”. I told the tablets. Strapping was “Of course my man”, a “No sir”, “Well neither do the amiable landlord applied and it felt as if large red-faced man said, I.” I skipped out of the could I have a warm the swelling had receded. “Come in”. Leading me surgery, waved to them orange juice instead. “Take care son”, said the to a room covered with and away on the road Ernest looked at me Doctor, and I was away, photographs of animals. South. “My word son, looks like heading for Shropshire

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county. Hodnet, Wem, was excellent. Eight to retirees. My position going into Worcester, Wellington, tired, sore, hours of good sleep. had dropped to 95, nothing but solitude, hungry, my mental state My mind was clear, again my lowest placing not a soul. Mostly was not good. Also, I was although my budget had since the start. Ah! Well walking with occasional lower down than I had taken a battering. Legs I was still going, and jog, but still unable ever been; something felt stronger, so away able to continue. Gus to break into a run. had to be done to raise on the road, only to be Britton’s friend looked The lower legs would my spirits. I searched able to walk and a little at the listings “Quite a not allow flexibility. for a café. Having found jog now and again but few ahead around 30 Outside Worcester, a lovely small café, I I was mobile. Through minutes”, he informed food, drink and rest went in and ordered the Wem, dark now, towards me. Encouraged by stop most gratefully most I had eaten since Wellington. this I attempted to provided by two smart leaving home. It felt jog/walk along to suited businessmen good, I was warm, no I was stopped at a my next destination, on their travel duties. hunger, no pain. What random check point by Kidderminster, a large Requesting information I needed now was rest. Gus Britton’s second in carpet manufacturing on the 1000 miles walk. I Moving on to Hodnet, a command. Showing my town. In the night the obliged by giving a brief B&B advertised rooms. documents, I learned miles went by, but no description of what I had I went in took one look that less than 200 were End to Enders did I see. experienced. “Long way and retired to bed. It still mobile, mostly down Through Kidderminster, son, but you are heading

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in the right direction, three-course meal, soup, son, we can do that”, I “OK, Miss I will take weather should be better, pizza and ice cream with sat down inside awaiting a room”. I was met by hopefully”. Thanking a coffee, luxury indeed. instruction “OK son, heat from switched on them I resumed my Two volunteer ladies this is your cubicle and radiators. “Thank you journey nourished and served me well. “Not seen your bath is next door I will be fine now, give rested. you before number 7”, and ready”. Quickly I me four hours and I one of them said. “No undressed and I jumped will be away”. Clothes Mam and I have not seen into the bath. Hot! It was Leaving Worcester any of your aid stations hot but so invigorating on the radiators all behind, the long trek all the way down”, I I just lay there soaking, over the room to dry to Cheltenham in front replied. She did not seem warm. Rubbing myself whilst resting in bed. of me, the day was fine. impressed by my reply, dry and dressing I felt I remember windows People waved, I grew turning to her colleague good. On my way out steaming up quickly stronger and began to to repeat what I just told run a mile or two then “Feel better son”, “Much”, from moisture drying her. “Sorry if it offends I replied. First wash in wet clothes. Soon the walk and jog. Until you, but it is perfectly two weeks. Stepping four hours went by, a a pattern to which I true”. used well early days outside I felt alert and knock at the door, “OK, ready. I tried a slow run, came flooding back. if I come in”, a girl’s voice OK, a jog, OK, another Feeling good reaching The detour had upset said, “Yes, I am decent”. Cheltenham, time for a my rhythm, my pattern run, fine. I was back on schedule. Happy, I made She brought in a tray quick brew and snack of run/walk/jog had with tea, sandwiches, then onto Tewksbury via gone, walk was only my way towards distant biscuits. “Smashing a lengthy detour. It was just possible. Struggling Taunton. The heavens thank you”. “Is it still destroying. Traffic and on, I thought about the opened mid-afternoon, footpaths were quite bad, counties I had covered rain, thunder, lightning, raining”, I enquired, roadworks, roadmen, and how many there road awash. Soon I was “Pouring it down”, she machines, uneven would be in front of drenched. Cars pulled said. Taking my time roads of considerable me. Bristol seemed far, up, “Get in son out of with my gorgeous meal, I distance. My whole far away. But in small the rain”, meaning well felt my clothes, they were body and mind ached stages I persevered, no doubt, but I refused all dry. Ready for the off, carrying on although from concentration passing Filton Airport awaiting rain to stop, on safety. Traffic was tempted indeed. After a and Bristol Zoo. I went to reception to terrible, coming close Trudging along the busy mile or so, my prayers cover the cost of bill. Her up to me on disjoined city streets, alongside were answered. An made-up footpaths. the docks, under the American style Motel face was apologetic, “So Why on earth had they Avon Bridge, until the had vacancies, inside I much sir”, I felt a little arranged this horrible signs for Bridgewater went. A young pleasant distressed, I was now section of route? It was appeared. Now in the girl informed me of the under £10 and had to get a trial we did not need. West Country only cost of staying, adding the train home, when Entering Tewksbury, a Somerset, Devon and she could not reduce finished. Outside the day big surprise, I actually Cornwall stood in my the fee, although she had improved. I was on found my first and only way for completion. herself would like to. my way again. aid station on the whole Outside Bridgewater It was expensive, very walk. Making the most I spotted a swimming expensive. The rain Postcards courtesy of of my luck, I requested baths. I enquired about battered down outside Andy at what was on offer, a an individual bath. “OK and I was wet, so wet. Bygone Times ■UW■

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Lifestyle Sharing my journey to Ultra-Running Vixx Thompson when I was playing team sports. Gradually I got bored of just doing my mini circuit and had noticed that some people would be on the treadmill for half an hour or more. I wondered how on earth they could stay on there for that long! At some point, I decided that I would try running on the treadmill – and managed about 30 seconds. After I had walked a little bit, I was ready to try again. This persisted for a couple of months, by which time I had managed to run five minutes then 10 minutes consecutively. Suddenly ’ve always been involved with sports and fitness, I could manage 20, then 30 minutes. Over time, I Iever since school. I played many team sports was regularly managing about an hour. I was still on and was always running around playing football or the treadmill but had read in magazines that if you rounders and climbing trees when not at school. wanted to replicate being outdoors, the best way was to have the treadmill on an incline of 1%, so I started Then I left education after finishing a degree in to work through some of the programmes on the Sports Science and got a job. Although that job was machine. quite a physical one, I didn’t manage to do much in the way of fresh air and exercise for quite a while. I’ve One day, I was on the treadmill, keeping a steady often suffered with bouts of depression, and without pace and every time I was getting ready to get off realising I was suddenly in the middle of a visit from and do something else, someone would get onto the the Black Dog. treadmill next to me and we would start chatting, so I would keep going. They would get off and be It was suggested by my dad that I go with him to the replaced by someone else. When I finally got off, I gym, to have something to do when I wasn’t at work. had done somewhere between 10 and 11 miles in just I like cardiovascular stuff, so did mini-circuits using over two hours! the rower, cross-trainer and exercise bike. I was only using the treadmill for some warm-up walking as One of the Personal Trainers had noticed I’d been on I didn’t really do much running except for sprints a while, and suggested that I challenge myself and

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I also did a course with The Running School to learn their Dynamic Movement System and their Rehabbing for Long Term Injury course, which allowed me to mentally retrain my brain to help run in a 10km race. I thought to myself, “I’ve just run reduce the pain signals. After long term injury, the 10 miles. I might as well go for a marathon!” (I didn’t brain can often continue to send pain signals to the know there were half-marathons back then…) area, even though the injury has usually healed. This system has been designed to confuse the brain and That was in 2002. Back then the only marathon I allow these pain signals to stop – and it did help knew of was the London Marathon. You had to go to me significantly! It has been used in many Premier a sports shop and pick up a copy of Marathon News League and Championship football clubs, as well as that had a copy of the entry form in it. It had to be helping people with MS and Parkinson’s Disease. filled out in black pen and accompanied by a cheque that would be cashed if you were lucky enough to get Everything I utilised on myself I now use with my a place (although then, as now, you could bequeath clients. I have benefitted greatly from doing my own your money to the London Marathon Charity if you rehab, further developing my knowledge and using wish). the qualifications and skills that I have learned along the way, so why not use those to help my clientele I was informed a few months later that I was achieve their goals too? I am slowly getting back unsuccessful in my application for the 2003 event, up to marathon distance again, and I have my eye but 12 months later (newly qualified as a Personal on going to longer Ultra’s in the long term. I much Trainer and Sports Massage Therapist) I got a prefer the trails to the roads and hills over flat different magazine through the door, giving me entry surfaces. There are a number of Ultras that interest into the 2004 Flora London Marathon… me, but I would like to build up to each one steadily From there, I have done 27 marathons, which – unlike my first marathon, which was my first ever includes two 30 mile Ultras. I am working slowly race as an adult. Ultramarathons deserve respect and back to full fitness after spending practically all of consideration, or you’ll possibly be found wanting at 2014 unable to run. It was discovered that my left a critical time – and I don’t wish to put anyone else at kneecap had moved off-centre, and whilst the pain risk due to a lack of preparation. wasn’t excessive, it was enough to stop me running. There are three official Ultra races that I would love My line of work revolves around fitness, to have a go at (and am working toward): rehabilitation and nutrition - and I used every Glen Ogle 33 element that I was trained in to help myself get back Jedburgh Three Peaks to a point where I could run comfortably again. West Highland Way. However, whilst I can do my own massage, it’s easier to have someone else to that, and so I roped in a There are many other longer distance races that I friend who was also qualified, and he helped me to dream about, but my ideal ‘bucket list’ event would get the kneecap back to where it should be. I’d seen have to be a consideration of doing the Bob Graham four other professionals who had all said it was most Round, should I ever get a chance. likely cartilage issues and yet I knew it wasn’t. Dave helped me get that sorted out, and then I moved onto Until then, I shall continue to strengthen, train and completely rehabbing the knees. When I do rehab, I prepare both myself and my clients so that we can all do the same exercises on both legs and muscle pairs work towards our goals, whatever they may be! to ensure that I am not over strengthening one at the expense of the other. www.kinetic-lifestyle.com www.kineticlifestylecom.wordpress.com ■UW■

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 73 Correspondents

CORRESPONDENTS CONTRIBUTORS

Stan Jewell has been Sally Ford is a Pharmacist organising timed events since and Ultrarunner who won Emma Marks is a the late 1980’s in the north of the Brathay Challenge 10in10 Maria Elisabetta Bellini is the sponsored athlete for England continuing in recent in 2012 and her time of founder of www.italyontrail. GB Ultras and works for years with the Foxton 24 hour 36:38:53 still stands. Sally came com a trail race calendar & RunningBear, the running in Preston, the Chorley 6 1st in her age group at the magazine aimed at all who gear centre in Cheshire. hour at Astley Park and most Laugavegur Ultra in Iceland; want to enjoy the trails in Italy. Her first ultra was the recently last month with the won the Ultimate Trails 110km Originally from the UK, she Three Towers Ultra in Liverpool Hope University 6 (for the 2nd year in a row); finished 2nd at the 185 mile lives and runs in Italy and 2016, an unmarked 35 mile hour race as well as managing Junior and Senior cross- King Offa’s Dyke race in 2016. has been working in sports race across Halcombe and promotion for over ten years. country events at Chorley In May 2018 she won her age Darwen moors by Howler Athletic and Triathlon Club. group and was second female Events finishing joint first at The South Downs Way and returning for the win Devil’s Challenge. in 2017. Emma is a coach at Run Macclesfield

Sarah Cameron is an ultra- Berit Jessen, 44. running vegan who lives on a Ultrarunner by accident vineyard in the south of France since 2012. Notorious for with her husband, two children Bob Hearn is an being a chatterbox during ultrarunner living in the and far too many pets. She Mick Farrar is an ultra running, having no sense San Francisco Bay Area. juggles family life with looking runner and blogger based after said pets, making wine of direction whatsoever, He has an academic in the southwest of UK. and indulging in her many and an annual charity run background in computer After 12 years in the forces hobbies, most of which involve with a couple of thousand science and AI, and has and many more putting on either consuming things or home-baked cakes. been a serial entrepreneur, weight he started running attempting to burn them Ultimate goal is always to most successfully with the again in 2014 and finishing off.http://cakewinerunning. run with a positive mind Mac program ClarisWorks. blogspot.fr his first it’s in 2016. I and a smile. Loves food, Bob specializes in long normally run around an combining ultrarunning road races, and holds ultra a month and activilly and traveling, and has a split five age-group American encourage runners to push personality, all of whom records, ranging from 200 their boundaries. are slightly crazy. Facebook km to 48-hour. Blog: http:// running page (in Danish): bobhearn.blogspot.com https://www.facebook.com/ BeritsLobeskole/

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Emma Hottinger is a Chemist and Ultra runner who works with a Nanotechnology company, in the production of Cadmium Free Quantum Dots for technology. Emma is a qualified BMC climbing instructor and an active supporter of Greenpeace. She plans to attempt the Bob Graham Round this coming September.

Helen Pike is a Birmingham based runner who started Ultra running 5 years ago at the age of 40. With 1st lady wins including the Wychavon Way Ultra, UTPD, Convergence 2018, Apocalypse 50 and the Robin Hood 100, Helen enjoys escaping the city for weekends away running in the hills.

13 / 2018 | Ultrarunning World 75 Arun Bardwaj at the Si Chinmoy photo by Prabhakar Street