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 being diabolical, usually a named storm).
Calon Lân / Cambrian Way recces including travel logistics for Penwyllt to Storey Arms, Torpantau to Crickhowell and Abergavenny to Cardiff.
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 a buzzard watching me from a fence post, then put my hand in what potentially was his poo when I climbed the style.
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 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 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 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.
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
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.
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 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?!!!
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 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.
