It’s all about running today. Me and some ultras.

[Katiepops]

Up with the larks this morning and off to do Parkrun. My OH managed to get himself invited to a corporate box at Twickenham for the Rugby against Ireland today, so met his mates and had a day out. I ran anyway. Not my best ever effort and I was a bit disappointed, but still almost 3 minutes faster than my first run. Dash home for a shower, then glad rags on to go and Marshall at CP1 (that’s checkpoint 1 for the uninitiated!) of the R86; the ridgeway challenge, 86 miles from Ivinghoe to Avebury in 24 hours.

Now those people are some crazy runners! The “slow group” started at 10 and are actually allowed 26 hours. By the time they got to us, 10 miles in, it was touching 30°. Our table was sagging under the weight of the sandwiches, flapjacks, cake, fruit and sweets that my running club was providing. Such happy runners filling their water bottles, refuelling and smiling. I hope they’re still smiling now cos they haven’t finished yet!

The fast group set off at 12 and started appearing at 1:20 ish. I’ll say again 1:20!! 10.5 miles on rough and very hilly terrain in 1 hour 20 minutes!!! Total respect ✊! Unbelievable effort from non-professional athletes. Some didn’t stop even for a water refill, but they all smiled, waved and gave us a thumbs up.

But there was this one guy, fast, young and American/Canadian by his accent, who arrived before 1:30. He was wearing what can only be described as speedos, trainers and a backpack thing that only carried water pouches and nothing else. So where did he have his race number I hear you ask? Pinned to his chest. Yes to his actual SKIN! Now that’s a serious athlete, or a mad one!

Good luck to all runners still out there on the R86 and a big cheer to the running clubs manning checkpoints in the dark to make the race happen. We are an amazing bunch of people us runners.😊🥵🏃‍♀️☀️🏆 🏃‍♂️

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Pinned to his chest?!? Yikes! Ultra runners are a special type of runner for sure

[Katiepops Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Yes we were all just staring at the safety pins, all 4 of them. No sign of blood, but you could see where the pin went in and came out! Very odd.🤪😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Blimey !!! How weird! What an exciting run... bet he had his hope pinned on winning

[Katiepops Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Oldfloss haha, I see what you did there! 😂😂😂😂

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

Looks like you enjoyed your day there Katiepops! I think ultra-runners are ‘special’ 🤣👍

[Granspeed Graduate10]

OMG. 😮 I’ve walked some of that route - in fact, several bits of it. Run? In one go? 😱 Well done you and the club for providing sustenance. We assisted at the Serpent Trail a few months ago, which had a 100km group but we were at the finish and left before they started to come in. I can’t even imagine....

[Katiepops Graduate10 in reply to Granspeed]

I know, 86 miles! Two members of our club were running and 2 were manning the check point. The second 2 were sad not to be running it🙄🤪

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Cannot imagine marshalling, let alone running, in yesterday’s heat. Well done to you and all.

[Katiepops Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

It was fun! We had a gazebo and music and lots of laughs!😂

[Couchpotato2]

WHAT?? TO HIS CHEST??? weird... well done to all of them, that's a pretty impressive challenge and well done to you for getting a run in before all of that!