Calon Lân 300 Route Recces / The Cambrian Way
Calon Lân / Cambrian Way route recce Llandovery to Llanddeusant. Including logistics, coffee shops and gates you might miss!
Author: ultramadlizzie
The Copthorne Heavy 48 Backyard Ultra Style Event – Race Report
Only Allan could organise rain at the Copthorne in the middle of a heatwave (for those of you who don’t know, the Copthorne Races weather in November is notorious for…
Calon Lân 300 Route Recces / The Cambrian Way
Calon Lân / Cambrian Way recces including travel logistics for Penwyllt to Storey Arms, Torpantau to Crickhowell and Abergavenny to Cardiff.
The Longbridge 100 Backyard Ultra Summer 2026 – Race Report
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…
North Wales Pilgrim’s Way
Today was A LOT of fun! Feels like too long since I went on an adventure. I’m enjoying collecting the ‘passport stamps’ from the churches along the route. I saw…
Protein Rebel Running Festival 2026
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!"…
God’s Own Backyard Ultra Spring – Race Report
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…
Sherwood Pines Backyard Ultra – 2026
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…
Balls to Cancer – Tackling Prostate One Mile at a Time
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…
Hibernal Hills 50km 2026
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…
Winter X 50km 2025
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…
Skirrid Hill Race 2025
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).
Copthorne Races 100 mile 2025 – Race Report
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…
Why are the Copthorne Races so Hard?
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…
Rasselbock Hardwick Hall Backyard Ultra 2025 – Race Report
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…
The Highlander Backyard Ultra Scottish Championships, Four Nations 2025 – Race Report
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…
Diary of a Crew Girl – Suffolk Backyard Ultra 2025
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…
Wild Horse South Wales 200 – 2025
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,…
Sherwood Pines Backyard Ultra Spring 2025 – Race Report
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…
Trails & Tarmac Backyard Ultra – Race Report
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…
Second Time Around the Winter Downs
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…
Copthorne Races 100 mile 2024 – Race Report
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…
Trailhead Get Jerky Devil’s Staircase Ultra 2024 – Race Report
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…
Beacons Way 2024 – Race Report
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…
South Wales 200 miles by Wild Horse 2024
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…
Beast of the Blacks 2024 – Race Report
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…
The S.F. Experience The Fan Dance Winter Edition 2024 – Race Report
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…
Copthorne Races 100 mile 2023 – Race Report
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…
Dragon’s Back Race 2023 – Race Report
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…
Day 3 Dragon’s Back Race recce – Dolgellau to Ceredigion over two days
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…
Beacons Way 100 mile 2023 – Race Report
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…
Wild West 40 miles 2023 – Race Report
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…
Day 4 Dragon’s Back Race recce – Ceredigion to Llandovery over two days
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…
Lake District Challenge 100km 2023 – Race Report
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…
Beacons Way Route Recce: Checkpoint 1 – 3 & Checkpoint 9 – Finish
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…
Goring Gap 50km 2023 – Race Report
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…
Overall FKT on Rownd Mynydd Du (Black Mountains Round)
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…
Recce of the Technical Section of Day 1 Dragon’s Back Race
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…
Beast of the Blacks 40 miles
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…
Rownd Mynydd Du (Black Mountains Round) – Table Mountain to Sugar Loaf including Black Hill
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…
4 summits of the Rownd Mynydd Du (Black Mountains Round) including the Dragon’s Back Ridge
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…
Hart Road Runners – Winter Training Camp 2023
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…
Rownd Mynydd Du (Black Mountains Round) Route recce – 7 central summits
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…
Rownd Mynydd Du (Black Mountains Round) Route Recce – Sugarloaf, Gaer, Bryn Arw, Skirrid Fawr
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…
Winter Cross 50km 2022 – Race Report
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…
Cyfarthfa Castle 30 miles 2022 – Race Report
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:…
The Dirty Dozen 2022 – Race Report
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…
BigSky New Forest Ultra 2022 – Race Report
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…
South Downs Way 100 2022 – Race Report
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…
Gwynne – Harris Round Ladies Fastest Known Time | What does it take to run a FKT Round?
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:…
Blacks to the Beacons 50 2022 – Race Report
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:…
Gwynne-Harris Round Final 3 Summits – Route Recce
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…
West End of the Gwynne-Harris Round – 8 summits including The Black Mountain
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…
Gwynne-Harris route recce – 3 summits of Carreg Cadno, Fan Gyhirych, Fan Nedd
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…
Gwynne-Harris route recce – 6 summits including Fan Fawr, Fan Llia
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…
Hart Road Runners – Winter Training Camp 2022
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…
Gwynne-Harris route recce – first 5 summits
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…
Abergavenny 3 Peaks – The Blorenge, Sugarloaf and Skirrid
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…
11 things ultra runners forget to talk about, but are actually quite important
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.…
Hardwolds 80 2021 – Race Report
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…
Cross Country Season 2021/2022 – HCCL, SCCL
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…
Four Stations Way Ladies FKT | Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Sapphire First Thoughts
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…
Brecon Beacon Horseshoe – New FKT (Fastest Known Time)
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…
Black Mountains Circular – New FKT (Fastest Known Time)
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…
Maverick Adidas Terrex Frontier North Downs 2021 – Race Report
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:…
Faccombe Backyard Ultra 2021 – Race Report
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…
Dragon’s Back Recce – Day 2
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…
Backyard Training – My Mini Backyard Challenge
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:…
Jurassic Coast Challenge 2021 – 100km
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 Run With No Witty Name 2021 – Race Report
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…
The Fox Ultra 2020 – Race Report
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:…
Dorney Lake 10km – Race Report
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…
Hardwolds 80 2019 – Race Report
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 /…
Surrey Hills Challenge 2019 – Race Report
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,…
Ultra Running Tips from a First Timer, to a First Timer
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…
