Hibernal Hills 50km 2026

Date: Saturday 7th February 2026

Official miles: 50 km 

Strava says: 31.6 miles

Elevation: 4,078 ft /  1,242 m

Weather: rainy

Start: Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Route type: circular

Conditions: wet and muddy

Website link: Hibernal Hills 50km by UK Ultra

Describe the route in three words: sticky, slippery mudfest

Hibernal Hills – Race Report

Last year I had a lot of 100 – 200 mile races and I really fancied a go at something shorter. This 50km sat nicely in the training calendar ahead of my 70 mile ‘Balls to Cancer – Tackling Prostate One Mile at a Time’ run, this will be taking place on 21st February.

I had a shaky start in the parking area, as I drove in there was a car reversing into a space, they were making a bit of a meal of it. I parked next to them. They then re-parked their car, I assumed because they were outside of the lines. So I re-parked my car to make sure I was correctly in the space too… you know how it is on race day, parking can be limited and we were already in the second or third overfill car park! As I got out the car, the lady in the passenger seat grumpily told me that they had re-parked their car to allow more space between our two cars. I offered to re-park again… to be honest I wasn’t sure what they needed additional space for, we were just parked in standard spaces. As I walked to the race HQ I was worried that perhaps 50km runners are not very friendly. That thought quickly diminished as I made friends with a couple on the way to race HQ and then continued to talk people to death in the toilet queue as well as talk to a guy extensively about Wild Horse, he is doing the mid Wales Wild Horse.

At this point, it had rained every singe day in 2026 (official) and I had got absolutely soaking wet on so many of my runs, I was keen on a bit of self preservation so started out in full waterproofs… including waterproof socks. 

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. 

As I left the first checkpoint I realised I’d perhaps knackered myself out somewhat so slowed it down, being sure to keep eating.

There was only around 8 miles between the first and second checkpoint so it really wasn’t that long until I got there. I must say, the homemade lemon drizzle cake at all the aid stations was pretty exceptional.

The third checkpoint was at the 25th mile and it did seem to come along quite quickly, I still have my watch set up for backyard ultra which means I am unaware of how many miles I have run (because I have turned the milage off). I found a new burst of energy after the third checkpoint and had a good run in.

A few memorable moments:

• Seemingly stroking my bum in the pre-race toilet queue to demonstrate where my rip was to two ladies I was chatting to, the thing is they could not see it so I just ended up looking a bit dodgy.
• Running through a wet and extra muddy bit as someone else was picking their way through, the first bit was deeper than I thought and I inadvertently splashed them with mud, I apologised and then nearly stacked it as the next bit was not as deep as expected.
• Doing my absolute bestest running in the whole wide world towards the photographer and then needing to walk afterwards as it was such hard work… and in the photo I don’t look any different.
• Eating lemon drizzle cake at every checkpoint.
• Realising the lovely Jade was on race registration and checkpoint 3.
• A very jolly volunteer at the end trying to send me home with a box of bananas.
• Meeting a super bubbly friendly young lady called Steph who was on the 50 miler, she is ginge_runs on Instagram and has recently joined me as a Protein Rebel ambassador.
• Remembering to do my finish line burpee, I’ve forgotten to do it at the last couple of races!

It was extremely muddy and rainy throughout which certainly did hamper the pace but not the enjoyment factor, I was a lot slower than I hoped but certainly very pleased with my time considering the conditions. To finish top ten ladies when 50km is not my distance was certainly something to smile about.

What’s in the snack pack?

• Fully charge mobile phone with WhatThreeWords
• 2x 500ml bladders water – 1 with Protein Rebel Sustain, 1 Plain
• Gloves
• Hat
• Dry bags for items to go in
• Long sleeved spare layer
• Spare waterproof jacket
• Survival blanket
• Whistle
• £20 cash & card
• OMM ultra flexi cup
• Salomon Bonatti waterproof over mittens
• Harrier Helvellyn Carbon Z-Poles and quiver
• Spare socks
• Food – SNACK’d bars, sandwich, Hula Hoops, Cliff Bloks
• Trailskin anti chafe balm
• Sugar coated stemmed ginger
• Lip balm

What I wore: Saucony Peregrine 12 ST, Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar, buff, Sweaty Betty power leggings, Montane Dart long sleeved top, Sweaty Betty adjustable cap, DexShell waterproof socks, Inov8 Trailshell waterproof jacket, OMM Halo waterproof trousers, bespoke chicken themed gaiters from Lesley at the Sewing Shed, race belt, Salomon Adv Skin 12 running vest.

Lessons learned 

Although it was fun to go out fast and play with the pace a bit, this is not really a sensible idea as leads to potential risk of bonking! I managed to save it by slowing down in the middle section and being sure to fuel frequently.

Summary

A really fun day out despite the rainy weather and mud. I took my poles with me because of the mud but I did not need to use them. It was fun to run so many hills at the start despite the fact that this is certainly something I should not do if I was going for a specific target time.

Results

Chip time: 6hr 14m

Overall: 50/131

Lady: 8/23 (3rd in age category)

Hibernal Hills 50km 2026 results: click here

Strava link: click here

Professional photos by The Graphic Corner Photography