Wales, Monday, September 6, 2021
236 miles, 17,000 m ascent
The Dragon’s Back RaceRad Cefn Y Ddraig‘The World’s Toughest Mountain Race’6th – 11th September 2021236 miles, 57,000ft, 6 days As for so many others, this last year has been exceptionally challenging. To say things have not gone to plan would be an understatement. The one thing that keeps me on the brighter side is my … Continue reading Montane Dragon’s Back Race 2021
My favourite domestic event of 2019 was the inaugural Brathay Ambleside Trail 60. It was a route of some 37.5 miles made up of three distinct sections. A fast, flowing trail up and over Loughrigg from Ambleside to Coniston was followed by a series of steep ups and downs for the next 20 miles to … Continue reading Ambleside Trail 60
Esk Valley, Saturday, September 5, 2020
Officially 37 miles
I’d seen the Esk Valley Walk route a few months ago, and had been toying with the idea of running it, either over 2 days, or making it a more challenging single day out. This weekend, I opted for the latter, along with a night camping in the van with Adrian. The route starts with … Continue reading Esk Valley Walk – A Running Day Out!
Lakeland 50, 2019: a lock-down inspired race report of my first ultra “Do these paracetamols belong to anyone?”. Blank stares all round. I pop a couple. It’s cheating a bit, but I’m pretty sure I’m not going to podium, so it’s probably okay. I’m at the second check point (Mardale Head, 20 miles in) and, … Continue reading Lakeland 50
“The Spine Race was definitely something I would never be interested in” Stuart Scott. It was approximately 2015 when I first heard about The Montane Spine Race. This beast is a 268 mile race covering the entire Pennine Way, in January. I was intrigued but thought it was just ridiculous, who were these absolute lunatics … Continue reading The Spine Challenger
Edale To Hawes, Saturday, January 11, 2020
108miles, 17000ft elevation, 60 hours cut off
The Spine Challenger – ‘A non stop 108 mile race between Edale and Hawes…This challenging and technical section of the Pennine Way is a physically and psychologically demanding route that demands concentration, good physical fitness, resolve and respect.’ Where to start? I feel shell shocked, overwhelmed and as if the last few days have all … Continue reading Montane Spine Challenger
Its just after 6:30 on Saturday evening. It’s dark outside, you can hear the wind howling. I’m sitting in a cosy cafe in Ingram next to John Kelly (amongst others!) A beautiful glass 2nd female trophy is on the table in front of me. I’m sipping on hot, sweet, tea and chatting about Nicky Spinks, … Continue reading Montane Cheviot Goat Winter Ultra
The growth of ultra marathon running has been nothing short of spectacular in the last few years. If you’ve not tried one, I would encourage you to give it a go – don’t be scared! But this growth has meant, and this includes races of all distances in general, that they are getting bigger, often … Continue reading Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra
In mid-July an email from Nigel Heppell* entitled “This one’s got your name all over it”, contained a website link to the Abraham’s Tea Room Round. “A tea room? Does that mean there is cake?” I thought wistfully….and clicked to explore further. Fast forward two months, and Nigel’s dangled carrot resulted in probably one of … Continue reading Abraham’s Tea Room Round
