This is a tough hilly, but beautiful course. Started in 1998 at 34.1 miles, Sat 7th June 2003 will be the 5th running (now 32.3 miles). If you've done a marathon recently you can definitely do it! There's something pretty special about going over the marathon distance for the first time and the Discovery has a all the "Ultra atmosphere" you could wish for - inc Jail Ale, disco etc. You get pampered! I ran my first 5 wks after my first marathon in 99 ...
www.twobridgesraces.org
It's YOU against the distance, so you get loads of support from marshalls, helpers, locals - and other runners!
Anyone out there doing it?
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Anybody out there still thinking about entering?
I'm there 100% - every time (missed the very first one though in 1998 - I hadn't even run a Half-M back then)
Like I said in my report at www.haylerunners.co.uk - once you've done it - YOU HAVE TO GO BACK!
Last yr I didn't have enough time to train after injury, but did it anyway ... just!
There is only one other event now that comes close to the Discovery for atmosphere and that was Tresco M - did it for the first time this yr (13 April). Similar numbers - around 100 - everyone treated as Special. But for Tresco there is raising the £250 for Cystic Fibrosis & the cost of accom & travel (minimum - over £200 for 2!)
Whereas for the Discovery - the Bunkhouse accom is around £5 a night!!
Come on you guys (both genders incl here)!!!
Do this wonderful race - you will be SO GLAD you did!
Just start a bit slower than a marathon - it is only 10k more ...
The weather can be unpredictable on Dartmoor so make sure you pack suitable gear for all weathers, then wait for the weather forecast on the day.
You can arrange for any special drinks and food to be placed at any/all of the drink stations.
There's also a disco in the evening, will help knock any stiffness out of those legs after the race!!
Unfortunatly wont be able to stay for the afterparty, my mate has to work at 6pm, yes he is running it as well and I am going on my hols to greece early on sunday morning, so we will have to come right back. When I can walk a bit anyway!
Good luck then to those who are going.
We met..well I gave you a drink (?) when I was marshalling on the Bodmin stretch and at the end of the Canter in March.
Your first ultra, great. Just remember not to go off at marathon pace and think you'll just hang on for the last few miles. Just start like a Sunday training run, nice and easy, the first half is mostly downhill, except for one steep climb at 6ish miles.
To: Timothy
Much nicer route than 2 Bridges, better air quality and less traffic, not too late to enter?
Ran the Neolithic marathon 3 weeks ago and am doing the Trailwalker (100kms) at end of July so this would be good training.
If I can't find a marathon nearer to home (N.Hants) around that time you may well see me there.
Closing date for entries is 4th June, no entries on day, get that entry in, form available on Two Bridges webstite. Would definitely be a good training run for your 100k, and there are some good steady hills on the course.
What's the 100k Trailwalker like, have only tried one 100k before but had to pull out at 50 miles, but would like to have another go next year.
i hope
im doing it this year
theres a thread on it
Muzza - I'm really glad you've entered, shame you wont make the apres race shin-dig (hey what sort of expression is that - does it show my age!?)
Timothy R - This yrs Two Bridges links to next June's (2004) Discovery for Twinning awards, long way to go from the far South West, esp if it's not a special course ...
Dustin! GO FOR IT!! You wont regret it - Are you in photos at richk.co.uk? must go back there - my photos of Neolithic should arrive next wk
Shades!! I'm sure you will blast passed me once you allow yourself more than a wk (or less!) between marathons. (PS Did 2.03 at Plymouth - chuffed!)
Brilliant result at Plymouth, you're definitely on for a PB at the Discovery. Have you got your WRN vest yet?
Richie Rich
Your first ultra? Any others from your club running too? You obviously haven't done the Discovery before, most of the spectators have 4 legs, mostly ponies and sheep, with the odd cow here and there!!
If you find that pub, i`ll have a pint of stella and a Brandy chaser! I will probably need something to take away the pain.
Shades - got a GIANT T/s from WRN - will have to phone for a vest??
I've got this thing about a Beam Engine - dont laugh - trying to dream up a nickname - thought I could be BeamE - I mean have you actually seen one? They are amazing things - visited Kew Museum on a Sat and saw 'em working ...
Having "struggled" round the last 10k of DMV you will have recovered & have more strength for the DD!!
But it'll be great to have your support if you don't run it
If I'm not mistaken, aren't the engines at Kew Cornish beam engines, and as you're of Cornish origin, there might be a link there to a suitable name. Or just plain Beamish perhaps - it links to beer drinking nicely, but I don't know what it's got to do with running!!!
The site is www.eastkentultra.org
My initial thoughts are to slot the event in before Dartmoor and Two Bridges, but I have also been recomended to consider August so that us Southerners can use is as a training run ready for London to Brighton.
Good Luck one and all and even though I won't be running I realy am looking forward to all your race reports so please don't forget the after race essentials.
Have had a quick look at your website, looks like a cold windy course, so definitely a summer event, I think.
Two Bridges is always August Bank Holiday weekend, so how about 2nd week in July, that will be 4/5 weeks after Discovery, and 5 weeks before Two Bridges. I don't run London to Brighton (can't make the qualifying time, thank goodness)but I think you should aim your race at those that do, and also those who aren't prepared to travel to Devon or Scotland.
Good Luck with your race, I might be there!!
I did figure that East Kent Ultra could be a perfect compliment to Dartmoor Discovery and Two Bridges in that the three corners of the UK would then be covered.