It started a cold frosty morning around 2 degrees, but clear and the temperature rose so it ended up a long hot sunny day. Me and Chris arrived at Holt Castle, registered and we started with another 80 or so runners at 8:30 It started with some lanes and a couple of woods but then a nasty bit on the main road to the checkpoint at Martley.
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| The Start |
From Martley the route got a lot better as it joined the Worestershire Way and included some small but tough hills including Ankerdine Hill and a few other hills before coming into the second checkpoint after 17.5miles. From here it would be a lot more up and down till the next checkpoint at half way. After the second checkpoint me and Chris ascended together up North Hill and after a punch point I enjoyed a good running section and then ascended Worcestershire Beacon.
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| Run to the Hills |
I then enjoyed mainly downhills to the checkpoint at The Malvern Hills Hotel and after a refuel and restock of water I carried on, retracing my steps on the Out and Back course, passing Chris on the way out of the middle checkpoint. After a couple of miles on the hills, I realised I'd left my map at the last checkpoint so I buddyed up with a very good runner called Louise. I was a bit worried about keeping up with a UTMB finisher and three time Ironwoman.
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| Coming into the midway checkpoint |
Louise managed to keep me going at a good pace. It was easy to the next checkpoint but it was a long one to Martley and I had a couple of tough moments including the ascent up Ankerdine Hill. We made it to the checkpoint in Martley and after being fussed over by the ladies at the checkpoint. We endured the last 7.5miles to finish the race at Holt Castle, where Louise was awarded the trophy for first female finisher. I congratulated several other finishers and me and Chris's wife Emma cheered him as he finished, looking releived to have finished. I have to admit I was fairly wrecked to and my feet we're very sore, but thats no suprise after 52 miles and 8000ft ascent.
