Three marathons on consecutive days along the Cornish coastline. My first attempt at this race but having done some training for the MdS on part of the route I know it's going to be tough! The terrain is very uneven with some steep climbs and descents and some parts which take a lot of concentration as they are very uneven and very close to the edge of the cliff!
Jurassic Coast Challenge
80 Miles
26th - 28th March 2010
Dorset UK
COMPLETED MARCH 2010
Three marathons on consecutive days along the Dorset coast path from Lyme Regis to Poole. The same organisation (VO2) and format as the Atlantic Coast Challenge which I completed in September and enjoyed - even though it did totally trash me! Hopefully there won't be any ankle problems this time though as I only have three weeks recovery before the Brighton marathon!
Brighton Marathon
26.2 Miles
April 18th 2010
Brighton UK
COMPLETED APRIL 2010
The first year that this race is to be run. Very different from my normal races, a huge amount of runners taking part, a flat and fast course, and it's on Tarmac! I will need to change my training methods for this one and I will be aiming for a faster time due to the fact that I won't need to conserve energy as it is just a one off Marathon with nothing nasty the next day!
South Downs Way Challenge
110 Miles
Winchester to Eastbourne, UK
COMPLETED JUNE 2010
Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc
August 2011 (Hopefully!)
France, Switzerland and Italy
This is one of the races that I really can't wait to get in to. 100 miles in 46 hours, non stop, which takes us through France, Switzerland and Italy and 9400 metres of overall altitude change. This race has a points qualification system which means you have to have completed certain points scoring events to even be allowed to enter, my completion of the 50 mile Thames Trot and The Marathon des Sables has given me the points I need to enter when registration opens. A very tough race due to altitude, steep climbs, low night time temperatures and uneven terrain.
UNFORTUNATELY WE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN THE BALLOT FOR THIS YEARS RACE, WE DO GET PRIORITY FOR NEXT YEAR THOUGH SO ROLL ON 2011!
Jungle Marathon
140 miles
October 2010
Amazon Rainforest, Brazil.
COMPLETED OCTOBER 2010
I have really tried to resist this race as it does look pretty brutal, but it has become another of the 'must do' races! Similar format to the Marathon des Sables, 200km stage race over 5 stages, self sufficient so everything we need to survive for the week has to be carried throughout the race. Tarantula's, bullet ants, swarms of wasps, mosquitos, venomous snakes, razor grass, 40º heat, 90% humidity, numerous swamp crossings and swims with full kit across piranha infested waters and of course, the night stage which passes through active Jaguar territory - just some of the attractions that have earnt this race the title of 'the most dangerous marathon in the world'
Grand Union Canal Run
145 Miles
May 2010
Birmingham to London, UK
Although the route will be flat, the mileage of this one will, I think, make it possibly the toughest one I've got lined up so far. 145 miles in 45 hours, non stop with runners disqualified if we stop for more than 40 minutes at any one time. Running for 45 hours in what may at points of the route be far from spectacular scenery is going to take a lot of mental strength to just keep on going. This race has a 70% drop out rate, one of the highest of all the Ultras out there. Due to the ankle ligament injury sustained in the Atlantic Coast Challenge I have had to pull out of this one in 2010 as it looks like I will be unable to train fully until at least January. I just feel that this doesn't give me enough training time for this one, I have got my name down for 2011 though!!
Unsuccesful in the ballot for 2011, back in the hat for 2012!
Marathon des Sables
150 Miles
April 2012
Sahara Desert, Morrocco
The big one! I've been fascinated by this race for years and finally got the chance to compete and complete it this year (2009) although every thing that could go wrong pretty much did. Freak weather meant the first and last days were abandoned due to flooding, a severe stomach bug meant my food and hydration went totally wrong and ankle ligament damage to top it all off, so I am going back to have another go and hopefully a more incident free race! The course takes in over 150 miles of desert over six days in temperatures up to 120º and is totally self sufficient so we have to carry everything we need for the week in packs weighing around 15 kilos. Has the reputation of being 'The toughest footrace on Earth' there are so many factors that make it tough but is also one of the best experiences I've ever had. Can't wait!
There will be more races booked along the way and I will put details of these up as and when they get booked. I will also do a page for race reports as they get ticked off too.
