Has anyone any pointers for this race? Ive done some hilly short ultras (32m)...been a while though...need to set a new target to aspire and train for. This is fairly local..Ive nearly a year to train and I'm interested in some navigating but it would be the first race Ive navigated on, I will obviously do some research and training with that but I am a plodder...anyone got any MHU experience please?
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Malvern hills run North / South, once on the ridge line there's nowhere else to go.
Never done this race, but used to train on it many moons ago .
Seriously looking at this one - the 50 miler. Doesn't do Herefordshire Beacon though!! Got to do both of the beacons, surely? (If I run it I might go up there anyway.)
Maps of the route look very clear.
You save a tenner bus fare by doing the out and back.
You save another tenner by not eating anything. Hmm.
I ran this last year. The navigation is quite simple; as stated above simply stay on the ridge fir most of it but you will need to get your map out for the sections on the country lanes and through the woods. They out a gpx file on the website before the race so you can download it to a gpx watch or hire one of their gps devices with it pre-loaded.
I took the "raw" option which was £10-15 less and I didn't get to use the food at the feed stations (But you can fill water bottles).
The he course is beautiful and everyone as really friendly. Highly recommend.
Ok thanks, I have a garmin 220 watch so I will check on that. I need to commit soon as its not that long away in training terms. Ive spent most the winter racing short distance
HQ and new sections of the route not on the website yet.
Currently running in Adidas Kanadia TR6 but was looking at Salomon and Inov8 Trail shoes.
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
Yes thank you this is very helpful. Would you say a mudclaw or terraclaw are a bit overkill for this ultra?
I'll have a look into the Roclites.
The kanadia's I have are hybrids and are nearer road running shoes than trail and they've always been fine. They just don't sell this model anymore and the new ones I do not get on with.
Have you run the Malvern Ultra in the past? I am finding the route directions for 2017 do not match the gpx file provided which is confusing. Where is the start of the race?
A lot of questions sorry! haha
If you have time I suggest you try your shoes out over a few weeks in similar conditions and see what you think. If there is a bigger ankle drop in chosen shoe then stick a heel cup in to cover it. Also adds cushioning for the ultra distance.
If you don;t have any already then get yourself some good calf guards too.
Yes I ran it 2012/13/14.
The route has changed a little this year. Original started and finished at Holt Castle. HQ is now Abberley Hall, next to the Tower. So the whole of the first (and last) section to and from Martley is now different. But it stays with the Worcestershire Way.
Distance used to be circa 52 miles. Will now be 48 miles.
Elite Ironman, Ultra Trail Runner
Thanks again Daz!
I'll be in La Sportiva Bushidos.
It'll be a very small field compared to some events. It will be unlikely you will be always be able to keep someone in view!
Looks low key and friendly, though. First one I've done from these organisers.
Thought about 10-15 mile point I would have to pull out - it was very painful going with the knee, especially downhills. Seemed to ease off though and I kept going for a 12h11 finish.
If fit I could probably knock at least an hour off that so I'll give it another go next year, although will be back to 50 miles + then I expect.
I emailed the organiser the other day to ask when the 2018 event would go live and they said soon. I questioned the distance also but they did not comment.
So I think this one will remain at 45 miles. There is of course the 90-mile double option!
I shall be doing it again in 2018.