Hi everyone, I'm looking to do an ultra in January or February next year - would prefer something around 35 miles but not ruling more or less out depending on cut off times. Can anyone suggest anything?
I looked there but there wasnt many in jan/feb - it will be my first ultra so need something with reasonable cut off time. Just looking at the south devon one, 70% booked. Would also prefer one that is easy to navigate as im doing it by myself - not asking for much am I lol
ok... I think the Thames Trot is similar as it uses the Thames Path. Its 50 miles so not much further, still fits in to your jan/feb requirement... maybe worth a look to see if there are spaces?
Thames path is pretty easy to follow so doubt you'd hit 60! Not many in Jan/Feb and a lot of the more well known ones are probably full. I'm doing CTS S Devon. Another one is Pilgrims Challenge on N Downs way - did it this year and you don't have to do both days.
I looked at the pilgrims challenge, how difficult was it to do navigation wise? I was meant to do the round ripon ultra last week but injured my ankle at GNR so have had to take 3 weeks off, hoping to get back to running next week, I looked at the CST South Devon and it said the difficulty level was severe which has put me off slightly.
Also LDWA Winter Tanners 30 mile option 20th January.
Re. Pilgrim, NDW was reasonably well marked and I followed it okay with map when reccing and without map (extra red-and-white tape markers) when racing NDW50. I'm thinking of running the Pilgrims Challenge (both days).
Thames Trot was already full when I looked several weeks ago.
I was going to do Dorset as well WiB but realised I'd already paid and entered a local race and Sussex is same day as TP100. Not done any of the CTS yet but as I live in S Devon thought I may as well, temptedby their UTSW too. Pilgrims was easy to navigate, I'm normally a bit rubbish but I didn't get temporarily misplaced once!
Jeremy, thanks, Pilgrims sounds a possibility then - also looking at the London Ultra, doing dubai marathon on 25th January so that one would fit in fine, has anyone done the london ultra?
Yes, I ran the London Ultra as my first ultra. It was fun! Rather more on road than the other runs suggested, and less hilly than most of them. It's mostly well signposted. If you decide to run it, let me know and I can give you extra details regarding the bits that are not so well signposted - mainly some bits into and just after Wimbledon Park, and as you enter Richmond Park, also to watch out for the slight deviation from the published (non-race) route for crossing the Thames. And apparently there's a large footbridge over the big road just before Richmond Park, which you can use to avoid the 4-5 mins wait to cross the road at the lights. I recced that part of the route twice, I think, and ran the race, and never noticed it...
Got a huge mug for finishing - made a nice change from a T-shirt.
If you could stretch to March, how about the D33 in Aberdeen? It's usually about the second weekend in the month. Zero navigation (big arrows spraypainted on the ground to keep you right!) , half tarmac half easy trails, beautiful scenery, a great atmosphere, cakes and beer at the end and at less then £15 it's a bit of a bargain. Entries open 1st January...
The TT Ulra 50 still has places with their Parkinsons Charity. You only have to raise £250 which isn't much if it's your first ultra. I managed to raise £1,250 min for a charity last year for the VLM. I couldn't afford the £42 entry fee for the TT50 so went with the sponsorship amount. For a first ultra I know I can raise the money. If it was a second or third marathon I don't think I could.
If you could stretch to March, how about the D33 in Aberdeen? It's usually about the second weekend in the month. Zero navigation (big arrows spraypainted on the ground to keep you right!) , half tarmac half easy trails, beautiful scenery, a great atmosphere, cakes and beer at the end and at less then £15 it's a bit of a bargain. Entries open 1st January...
Like the sound of this one, especially the zero navigation!
Looked into this one, sounds really good, check points every 5 miles and marshalled - they say there is no chance of getting lost, and not too many hills which is a bonus!
Comments
Ultra trail series South Devon 9th feb about 35 miles
Thanks, will take a look
http://www.ultramarathonrunning.com/races/uk.html
List of races here
I looked there but there wasnt many in jan/feb - it will be my first ultra so need something with reasonable cut off time. Just looking at the south devon one, 70% booked. Would also prefer one that is easy to navigate as im doing it by myself - not asking for much am I lol
Country to Capital? Early Jan. 45 miles. 2nd half is canal path so shouldn't be too tough to navigate!
Just looked and it says the country to capital is sold out for 2013 - shame as that would have been do-able I think.
ok... I think the Thames Trot is similar as it uses the Thames Path. Its 50 miles so not much further, still fits in to your jan/feb requirement... maybe worth a look to see if there are spaces?
Ok thanks, think the main thing that worries me is getting lost! Never had to navigate myself before, might end up doing 60 miles
Thames path is pretty easy to follow so doubt you'd hit 60!
Not many in Jan/Feb and a lot of the more well known ones are probably full. I'm doing CTS S Devon. Another one is Pilgrims Challenge on N Downs way - did it this year and you don't have to do both days.
I looked at the pilgrims challenge, how difficult was it to do navigation wise? I was meant to do the round ripon ultra last week but injured my ankle at GNR so have had to take 3 weeks off, hoping to get back to running next week, I looked at the CST South Devon and it said the difficulty level was severe which has put me off slightly.
The CTS courses are challenging. I think they go a little over the top saying severe, but certainly not easy!
Jeremy - I am down to do CTS Dorset and CTS Sussex. Enjoy Devon
There's the London Ultra 50K - 17th Feb 2013. See http://www.ultrarace.co.uk/events/
Also LDWA Winter Tanners 30 mile option 20th January.
Re. Pilgrim, NDW was reasonably well marked and I followed it okay with map when reccing and without map (extra red-and-white tape markers) when racing NDW50. I'm thinking of running the Pilgrims Challenge (both days).
Thames Trot was already full when I looked several weeks ago.
I was going to do Dorset as well WiB but realised I'd already paid and entered a local race and Sussex is same day as TP100. Not done any of the CTS yet but as I live in S Devon thought I may as well, temptedby their UTSW too.
Pilgrims was easy to navigate, I'm normally a bit rubbish but I didn't get temporarily misplaced once!
Born to Run 40 miler in Llanelli in Feb 2013
Jeremy, thanks, Pilgrims sounds a possibility then - also looking at the London Ultra, doing dubai marathon on 25th January so that one would fit in fine, has anyone done the london ultra?
i think there are some people on the ripon forum doing the thames trot that you could run with mum ?
The LDWA has events at all times of the year and you can usually do them as a runner
http://www.ldwa.org.uk/
Stupid RW link thing is not working, you will need to copy and paste
Carol, the Country To Capital 2013 is still taking enteries, it's not sold out.
Yes, I ran the London Ultra as my first ultra. It was fun! Rather more on road than the other runs suggested, and less hilly than most of them. It's mostly well signposted. If you decide to run it, let me know and I can give you extra details regarding the bits that are not so well signposted - mainly some bits into and just after Wimbledon Park, and as you enter Richmond Park, also to watch out for the slight deviation from the published (non-race) route for crossing the Thames. And apparently there's a large footbridge over the big road just before Richmond Park, which you can use to avoid the 4-5 mins wait to cross the road at the lights. I recced that part of the route twice, I think, and ran the race, and never noticed it...
Got a huge mug for finishing - made a nice change from a T-shirt.
If you could stretch to March, how about the D33 in Aberdeen? It's usually about the second weekend in the month. Zero navigation (big arrows spraypainted on the ground to keep you right!) , half tarmac half easy trails, beautiful scenery, a great atmosphere, cakes and beer at the end and at less then £15 it's a bit of a bargain. Entries open 1st January...
The TT Ulra 50 still has places with their Parkinsons Charity. You only have to raise £250 which isn't much if it's your first ultra. I managed to raise £1,250 min for a charity last year for the VLM. I couldn't afford the £42 entry fee for the TT50 so went with the sponsorship amount. For a first ultra I know I can raise the money. If it was a second or third marathon I don't think I could.
You can get cashback on the entry fee by joining me on the South Devon coastal trail: http://www.freedommatters.org.uk/the-south-devon-coastal-challenge.html
Like the sound of this one, especially the zero navigation!
Thanks Debra, will let you know if I decide to do the london - still keeping my options open right now.
Looked into this one, sounds really good, check points every 5 miles and marshalled - they say there is no chance of getting lost, and not too many hills which is a bonus!
Carol, You could always join me on this one at the end of February.
http://www.challenge-running.co.uk/st-peters-way-ultra/
or even look on ukultrarunning calender-amazing what you find
or this.. excellent search facility...
http://marathons.ahotu.com