Ultra Mad Lizzie

The lighting drew closer, the night sky was fizzing and cracking and then right in front of us the most exceptional pink lightning strike, it crackled, from sky to field dashed lines rather than a solid line, I have never before witnessed anything like it, followed by a great deafening boom, the reactions of the runners could be heard all around, most of us in awe and delighted, some scared, and then there was the realisation of just how close the thunderstorm was coming and there was much chatter on our safety. I found out later that Darren had been studying the storm real time and would be ready to make the call and halt the race if required.

Phrases I found myself saying:
“I normally walk up these!” (referring to a hill) “Can you tell me your life story rather than ask my questions? I need to breath!” “Oh my gosh we’ve only done 2 miles we have to go round again?” “I never normally run this fast!” “My shoelace has come undone, I’ll have to style it out to the finish” “This is the point where you could run off and leave me for dust”

One Sunday yard I was thinking how I could really do with a proper ice cold drink of water, I was manifesting it. As I reached the stairs, the manifestation worked, Gav was holding out a bottle of water, so cold the condensation was dripping off it, I faltered, “It’s ok” he said, “it’s legal” I took it gratefully and wow how refreshing it was to drink! (BYU rules state that no outside assistance is allowed, however RD’s decision is final and all runners were being offered the same)

Eric had informed him that a tornado had ripped through the campsite shortly after we had left and that we were to be evacuated to a classroom which was on the course.

When I first asked Terry if I “could do his big cock and balls” I was greeted with silence, maybe something to do with my message slipping into requests and being unnoticed…

I was perhaps a little over zealous at the start and ran the entire way to the first checkpoint (probably around 12 miles)… this meant I also ran up every single hill. I knew this was potentially a bit of self sabotage but I didn’t really mind as it was ‘only’ 50km and not an ‘A race’. I really enjoyed playing with the pace a bit, trying to push a bit faster on the flats and downhills. 

I wanted to try out a new fuelling strategy, it didn’t work and I bonked just before the end of leg 2 but I am so glad I tried it out.

Spot prizes included a toilet brush, a whole dead fish, condoms and sanitary towels. I was disappointed not to win a spot prize (awarded at random).

The Copthorne 100. There’s something rather special about this race, it’s a dream and a nightmare tangled together. To succeed on this course is something to be proud of. So many before have tried and failed. I was talking to someone about it during the race and I established that at some point this course will break you, every, single, time

The Copthorne 100 has gained mythical status. It’s a 103 mile foot race in the Surrey countryside, up and around Box Hill. The finish rate is extremely low. Ahead of the 2025 edition of the race there was a 13.5% finish rate amongst men and a 22% finish rate amongst women.

I went to get my race number whilst Will organised the gazebo, unbelievably my race number was 59, the current UK female record, surely this was a sign of great things to come?

Coming in off the 1pm yard I was thrilled as the next yard would be Andy’s birthday party! We all donned party hats, had some cupcakes, sang happy birthday and off we went, wearing our hats the whole way round that yard, it was a good laugh and a good energy boost for the team.

I was in the tea tent (funny that) recording an interview with Grumpy, he was telling me about Matthew Blackburn and John Stocker’s world record which he witnessed first hand and unbeknown to me, the wind picked up and my gazebo blew away and landed on someone’s head.

My feet were moving faster and I was having to keep an eye on where I was placing them. There were snails everywhere, I don’t mean just one or two, but hundreds and hundreds of snails. I suddenly had a thought. “Francis?” “Yes?” Am I having my first ever hallucination or are there really about a million snails here?” “Don’t worry, I can see them too, I’m trying not to step on them!”

My goal was to inspire others, particularly female athletes. I firmly believe that I have achieved my goal, not only did I achieve this goal but on the day I made the right choice for me and I honestly could not have been happier with the outcome.

I was aware by now that this was not going to be a short backyard, as the sun started to rise I mentally prepared myself for night two. When I removed my head torch, I handed it to Francis and asked him to replace the batteries, knowing that I owl die wearing it again.

GUEST POST BY KEVIN MUNT
Diametrically opposed to the position I was in two nights ago, lying in the foetal position on a bed of dry oak leaves in a hedgerow somewhere between Hinton Ampner and Arlesford. So completely overcome by sleep that lying in a damp field on a cold December night was more than acceptable behaviour.

As I approached Box Hill village has on lap 4 event crew Mike was turning his head from side to side, as I approached him he said, “I’m being a lighthouse”, “Yes” I thought, “you are my kind of person!” He asked me if needed anything and I asked him if I could be cheeky, of course. Could he please possibly get my snacks out for me and unwrap it? He bravely delved into my wet with rain and sweat pack and located my Chomp and Curlywurly

The route promised beautiful views and a trip up the Devil’s Staircase, a steep zig zaggy incline with a gradient of 25%, notorious in the cycling world. There was also talk of a 2 mile bog, sounded ideal to me. 

The climb up Fan Hir was brilliant, we’d done the low level route last year due to the dangerous weather conditions therefore it was the first time I had done this climb, I loved it so much

I told Francis about a video I had seen of someone’s legs turning to jelly just before the finish line of a marathon and how he had had to drag himself across the line, within about 10 seconds of regaling him with this story, my legs started turning to jelly! We decided it was because I was using too much energy to laugh so we decided to stop joking around so much and take things a bit more seriously.

This was a last minute decision to enter the race, I actually entered on race morning, having contacted RD Ellen the day before to check that would be ok. I had wanted to see where I am with my fitness and as I had done this race last year thought it would be a good way to measure.

The wind was something pretty special, we were battling against 45 mph of it, it was so much fun and I think it is the only time in my life I wished I was fatter, it was a struggle to stay upright at times! I did one faceplant into the side of the mountain, my laughter gone with the wind.

Being a winter ultra, night came early with the sun setting around 4pm and it was to be a long night as sunrise is not until round 7.40am, around 15 hours on the head torch. The night was beautiful though, a clear and starry sky, the moon seemed to have a rainbow glow around it. Throughout the race the ground never thawed, it was freezing cold the whole time and overnight the ground sparkled with ice.

We gathered in the grounds of Conwy Castle and the Welsh male voice choir sung to us as the sun started to rise, flags representing all the runners’ nationalities waved in the breeze. I cried. All that I have been through in this past year to get me fit enough to stand on this start line suddenly felt a bit overwhelming, this was a dream years in the making, this was a race I never thought I would be good enough to attempt. I knew my chances of completion were still slim but I also knew I had put everything into being here.

I could see on my map that I was to pass through a farm and then head along a track, it was 11:55am, time for my vegan sausage roll! I saw an option of either a hill or a lovely flat path, I headed up the hill. I then checked the route and realised this was wrong. It is definitely ingrained in me to see a hill and head up it!

Hey, what’s that I can see? It’s the two guys! Francis said I could catch them! Right-ho, let’s go! I moved up a gear and started hunting them down. I trundled down the other side of the mini mountain and could see them on the lane, they were walking! I ran past them shouting “Hello” and “Well done!” (obviously though in my head I said, “You’ve just been chicked!”) It was Tim and Rory! I pulled away from them and emotion hit me, I had a cry. I had run over 100 miles, I was still running and I had just flew past these guys! 

The fact that this event was exactly a week after the Lake District 100km and immediately after a cheese and gin fuelled girls’ holiday to France, didn’t bother me. I had an epic Friday which involved travelling home from France, spending 3 hours at home and then heading to Pembroke Dock on a 4 hour journey (luckily no traffic!).

Not for the first time that day I felt I was following behind in someone else’s footsteps. I ended up trotting behind some sheep on the road and wondered why sheep often just run in a straight line in front, why don’t they just dart off to the side? My pondering meant that I sailed past the point that I was supposed to turn, opps! I went back and this tiny little hill is perhaps the steepest of the whole route, I actually had to put my hands on my knees for the ‘climb’!

7am and we all set up, weirdly I seemed to be the one at the front leading the way. I looked over my shoulder a couple of times and wondered when the men would come past me. They didn’t. After around a mile or so I was aware of someone running to my right, I turned expecting to see a guy but it was a fellow chick! I said, “Well this is weird!” It was weird to have two women leading the way for the first few miles!

All thoughts were promptly forgotten when I did a double take swearing I had just seen a reindeer. I stopped in my tracks nope, make that two reindeer! Turns out there’s a reindeer herd here!

I must spare a moment to mention the massive obstacle facing Lynne’s ultra challenge and that is until a few months ago, she had a complete inability to drink any water or take on board any food without vomiting. Lynne certainly put the miles in throughout her training – including back to back days so I knew the running would not be an issue at all.

I then saw a very bouncy pair running towards us… it was Brett and super pup Bryn! It was so great to see them and Brett immediately gave me a boost by telling me how I’d kept up a consistent pace all day and he was impressed with how I’d ploughed on through the awful weather, right now though, the sun was shining and the views were awesome!

Since the moment I found out about Dragon’s Back Race I’ve been drawn to it. I first watched the videos and was blown away by the skills, stamina and endurance of those who took part, and completely inspired by Nicky Spinks. I’ve avidly followed it throughout the years and always looked in awe at those who took part feeling that it would never be something that I could be capable of. Something that certainly would forever out of my reach.

Then the strangest of things happened… it was as though the banana I gave Andrea had boosting powers, similar to the boost on Mario Kart! She steamed past me, powered on up he hill and I thought never to be seen again! I could not believe how quickly she put a gap between us and I started questioning what was going on, had she gone faster or was I going slower? What could I do to catch up with her? I didn’t have an answer so just pushed on. Andrea had disappeared from view before I reached the trig at the top.

I had a chuckle to myself as someone had left a stray glove on the trig, I took a selfie and planned to send it to my friend Lynne who is constantly making me laugh by running in odd gloves as she never seems to be able to find a matching one, this could perhaps be one of hers?!!!

There’s a lovely and enjoyable path away from the trig and to my alarm I realised I was heading in the downwards direction, with one more summit to go, this can only mean another steep climb! I saw a couple who I believe were mother and son having the most monstrous argument, I bid them a good afternoon but they were oblivious to me.

This area was certainly going to deliver on scenery! First up was an 8 arch bridge over a large lake complete with swan and heron, through a field, woodland track (where someone shouted “DUCK” and we all stopped thinking they said “stop”… there was a low tree branch.

Their Welsh accents were very strong, but after the third attempt I realised that they were asking me if I was the geologist. No, I’m just here to park and run

I really enjoyed planning, preparing and completing the Gwynne-Harris Round last year and felt at a bit of a loss afterwards. I’d dedicated so much time to it and achieved what I felt at the start of the process had been the unachievable, I wasn’t really sure what to do next. I decided to repeat the process again this year, but with a different Round in my sights.

I was making people smile with my Santa hat bobbing around and my constant “hello’s” and “well done’s” in-between squealing with excitement. I spotted my Hardmoors friend and gave him a whoop.

Date: Saturday 5th November 2022 Official miles: 30 miles Elevation: 4,360 ft / 1,329 m Weather: raining – a lot Start: Cyfarthfa Castle Route type: circular Conditions: wet Website link: Off the Tarmac Describe the route in three words: lots of rain OTT 30 Miles – Race Report Rain was forecast all day but driving […]

Date: Saturday 1st October 2022 Official miles: 50.4 miles Elevation: 7,648 ft / 2,331 m Weather: Dry, mild, sunny spells Start: Narberth car park, Pembrokeshire Route type: 4.2 mile laps Conditions: Mixture of slippery mud, tarmac, grass, woodland trails Website link: Narberth Nobbler Describe the route in three words: what a race! The Dirty Dozen […]

Date: Sunday 25th September 2022 Official miles: 38.5 miles Strava says: 37.45 miles Elevation: 3,232 ft / 985 m Weather: Ideal Start: Hyde Common, Frogham, New Forest Route type: Circular Conditions: Dry Website link: BigFeat Events Describe the route in three words: Debbie’s first ultra BigSky New Forest Ultra 2022 – Race Report When Debbie […]

Date: Saturday 11th June 2022 Official miles: 100 miles Strava says: 106.68 miles (I believe this is very inaccurate though) Elevation: 12,001 ft / 3,658 m Weather: Very dry and warm Start: Matterley Bowl, Winchester Route type: Eastbourne Sports Park Conditions: Firm chalky trails Website link: Centurion Running Describe the route in three words: so […]

Date: 21st – 22nd May 2022 Official miles: 75 miles Strava says: 75.57 miles Elevation: 21,010 ft ft / 6,404 m Weather: Clear Start: Talybont Reservoir Route type: circular Conditions: Perfect! Website link: Gwynne-Harris Round Describe the route in three words: I did it! Gwynne – Harris Round Ladies Fastest Known Time Through my recces […]

Date: Saturday 30th April 2022 Official miles: 50 miles Strava says: 52.27 miles Elevation: 10,761 ft / 3,280 m Weather: clear, warm and dry Start: Llanbedr Finish: Llangynidr Route type: A to B Conditions: Dry Website link: Blacks to the Beacons by Limitless Trails Describe the route in three words: phenomenal mountain trails Blacks to […]

Date: Sunday 1st May 2022 Estimated miles: 14 miles Strava says: 16.67 miles Elevation: 3,750 ft / 1,143 m Weather: mild, overcast Start: Blaen y Glyn Isaf car park, nearest postcode CF48 2UT Route type: circular Conditions: a little wet after overnight rain but firm Website link: Gwynne-Harris Round Describe the route in three words: […]

Date: Tuesday 12th April 2022 Estimated miles: 20 miles Strava says: 19.10 miles Elevation: 4,616 ft / 1,407 m Weather: an ideal cool temperature, cloudy with sun patches Start: The Gwyn Arms, SA9 1GP Route type: circular Conditions: soft underfoot, moist in places Website link: Gwynne-Harris Round Describe the route in three words: trig point […]

Date: Tuesday 22nd March 2022 Estimated miles: 15 miles Strava says: 17.44 miles Elevation: 3,396 ft / 1,035 m Weather: Hot Start: Fan Llia car park (nearest post code CF44 9JD, then use map) Route type: circular Conditions: very dry Website link: Gwynne-Harris Round Describe the route in three words: surprisingly runnable trails! Recce report […]

Date: Monday 7th February 2022 Estimated miles: 14 miles Strava says: 15.26 miles Elevation: 3,743 ft / 1,141 m Weather: windy, foggy Start: Storey Arms LD3 8NL Route type: circular Conditions: wet with low visibility Website link: Gwynne-Harris Round Describe the route in three words: epic shortcut fail Gwynne-Harris route recce – the 6 summits […]

Date: Friday 21st January – Sunday 23rd January 2022 Weather: Sunny then overcast and fresh Base location: Blackadon Farm Cottages , Dartmoor, Devon Route type: Trails Conditions: Dry and soft Describe camp in three words: An absolute blast My first Winter training camp with running club! Excited, most definitely! We had a prompt 7am departure […]

Date: Tuesday 18th January 2022 Strava says: 20.28 miles Elevation: 5,266 ft / 1,605 m Weather: Cool, cloudy and foggy in places Start: Talybont Reservoir (nearest postcode LD3 7YS then follow signs) Route type: Circular Conditions: cool, overcast, foggy, not too wet underfoot Website link: Gwynne-Harris Round Describe the route in three words: map reading […]

Date: Monday 17th January 2022 Strava says: 22.14 miles Elevation: 5,348 ft / 1,630 m Weather: Sunny and bright Start: Fairfield Car Park, NP7 5SG Route type: Circular Conditions: Frost on the ground, dry Website link: Abergavenny 3 Peaks Describe the route in three words: Marvellous day out Abergavenny 3 Peaks – Route Report My […]

Whether you’re a dab hand at ultra running or your first one is just around the corner, there are a number of things no one ever talks about/you never remember. Well, I’ve tried super hard to remember all of the things that happen to us ultra nutters before, during and after a long run. Some […]

Date: Saturday 20th – Sunday 21st November 2021 Official miles: 80 miles Strava says: 81.93 miles Elevation: 9,288 ft / 2,831 m Weather: Dry and cool, sunny spells Start: Hessle Foreshore Finish: Filey Route type: A to B Conditions: Dry Website link: Hardwolds 80 by Hardmoors Race Series Describe the route in three words: the […]

Brief course description and results round up for the 2021/2022 cross country season with Hart Road Runners at Southern Cross Country League and Hampshire Cross Country League. Keep checking back throughout the season for updates. Southern Cross Country League Race 1 – Folly Farm, Basingstoke – Sunday 10th October 2021 Distance: 4.69 miles Average pace: […]

Date: 4th November 2021 Strava says: 22.28 miles Elevation: 2,149 ft / 655 m Weather: Cold and dry Start: Haslemere Train Station Route type: Out and back Conditions: Dry and soft Website link: Four Stations Way Describe the route in three words: simple to follow Four Stations Way Ladies FKT and Gamin Fenix 6 Pro […]

Date: Wednesday 13th October 2021 Official miles: 8 miles Strava says: 10.51 miles Elevation: 1,864 ft / 568 m Strava says: 2,656 ft / 810 m Weather: mostly sunny, occasional clag Start: Pont Cwmyfedwen car park, Taf Fechan Forest Route type: circular Conditions: dry, clear paths, mixture of gravel and rocks Website link: Breacon Beacons […]

Date: Tuesday 12th October 2021 Official miles: 34.76 miles Strava says: 35.35 miles Elevation: 6,338 ft / 1,932 m Weather: a perfect 9°C, cool and sunny Start: Llanbedr, Wales Route type: circular Conditions: dry Website link: Black Mountains Circular Describe the route in three words: glorious mountainous scenery Black Mountains Circular – new FKT I […]

Date: Saturday 18th September 2021 Official miles: 54 km / 33.6 miles Strava says: 34.06 miles Elevation: 4,336 ft / 1,321 m Weather: hot and sunny Start: Tillingbourne Route type: circular Conditions: very dry trails Website link: Maverick Race Describe the route in three words: hillier than expected Maverick North Downs fourth lady Lizzie Gatherer […]

Date: 6pm 9th July 2021 Strava says: 86.45 miles Elevation: 15,301 ft / 4,664 m Weather: Warm, with a spot of drizzle Start: Faccombe Estate Route type: 4.25 mile laps Conditions: Mostly dry, bit of mud Website link: Run on Trails Describe the route in three words: Scenic hilly fun Strategy: I had a number […]

The thing is with getting to the top of a mountain, you then have to go straight back down again, it seems like a huge amount of time is spent getting to the top to admire the views for around 15 seconds before heading down again! Initially the decent of Rhinog Fach was an easy one, we passed a herd of mountain goats and then happened upon a rock fall field, only one route available, and that was straight down. My word this took FOREVER to get down!

Date: 1pm Saturday 21st March to 1am Sunday 22nd March 2021 Strava says: 50.55 miles Elevation: 2,409 ft / 734 m Weather: dry and mild Start: my home Route type: 4.1 mile laps Conditions: dry pavement Describe the route in three words: surprisingly enjoyable circles How it came about Often one of the first things […]

Date: Saturday 22nd May 2021 Official miles: 100km / 62.1371 miles Strava says: 61.58 miles Elevation: 7.122 ft / 2,171 m Weather: mixed Start: Corfe Castle Finish: Bridport Route type: A – B Conditions: very mixed – soft, hard, moist, muddy, sandy, stoney Website link: Ultra Challenge by Action Challenge Describe the route in three […]

Date: Saturday 10th October 2020 Official miles: 32 miles Strava says: 32.68 miles Elevation: 3,823 ft / 1,165 m Weather: sunny Start: Tisbury Route type: circular Conditions: moist underfoot, occasionally slippy Website link: A Run With No Witty Name by Crooked Tracks Wiltshire Describe the route in three words: stunning scenery, undulating A Run With […]

Date: Saturday 19th September 2020 Official miles: 38 miles Strava says: 40.01 miles Elevation: 2,319 ft / 707 m Weather: very hot and sunny Start: Godalming Route type: circular Conditions: dry, hard ground Website link: The Fox Ultra by ATT Events Describe the route in three words: mostly flat, fast The Fox Ultra – Race […]

Date: Saturday 5th September 2020 Official distance: 10 km Strava says: 10.38 km Elevation: 8 ft / 2 m Weather: Sunny and dry Start: Dorney Lake Route type: 2x laps Organiser: F3 Events Conditions: dry, hard ground Website link: F3 Events Describe the route in three words: ideal PB route Dorney Lake 10m – Race […]

Date: Saturday 23rd – Sunday 24th November 2019 Official miles: 82 miles Strava says: ran out of battery, but likely 84 miles due to getting lost Elevation: 7900 ft / 2400 m Weather: constant rain Start: Hessle Foreshore Finish: Filey Route type: A to B Conditions: boggy, wet, energy sapping Website link: Hardwolds 80 by […]

Date: Saturday 22nd September 2019 Official miles: 38 miles Strava says: 38.77 miles Elevation: 1656 m / 5433 ft Weather: dry, cool and sunny Start: Haslemere Finish: Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking Route type: A to B Conditions: dry trail mix including hard, stoney, sandy Website link: Surrey Hills Challenge Describe the route in three words: […]

I entered the Surrey Hills Ultra in September 2019 – 3 days before the event took place. I had completed a marathon 9 years earlier and I believe my longest recent run had been 10 miles. I went into this event absolutely clueless. I loved every minute of it, and wrote the following a few […]