I’ll say it straight away, this ultra is hilly! It’s an out and back on the same route and will throw up different challenges dependent on the weather (I can imagine a soaking event would be tough) but on this occasion it happened to be the hottest bank holiday on record!

Registration was really straightforward and there were plenty of emails leading up to the event. I had a lift down on the day, picked my number up from registration at the yacht club and met dozens of old and new friends before the race started. The toilets weren’t a problem with some inside the club and others in the car park block.

The first 5k are flat along the canal, through a housing estate, then woods and to the first climb through the woods. From here there’s a bit of track then a lovely climb through bluebell lined paths and then out onto fields. The first iffy bit was a climb over an electric fence but once over it you’re out onto fields.  The first aid station was 7km in, close to the bottom of a long descent and it was amazing. Pork pies, crisps and sweets aplenty.

To get to the second section there was a tricky bit where the tape markers were on both sides of the junction but I was running with the super navigator Matt Tooze who knew his way arounds. Then we hit a fast road and ran along it for a mile before a descent down a gravel riverbed to the second checkpoint.

The third checkpoint was a tough slog. The memorable bits include climbing fences to avoid cows, very steep roads and very long downhills before a lovely run alongside the reservoir to checkpoint 3.

The return section felt harder, felt like more overall uphill sections and the last 5km although on the flat were very hard work. Particularly tough bits included the  hill at the last checkpoint and a grassy nettle filled hill not long after that.

The race finish was back at the yacht club and the reception was great! The medal was fantastic and the tshirt (which I left at the club :-0 ) was lovely. 

A big thanks to the checkpoint marshals who were really kind and helpful from start to finish. Thanks in particular to the chap at the last checkpoint who made me a cracking jam sandwich!

One of the best bits of this event was the number of amazing people who turned out to give it a crack in really warm weather. Huge respect for anyone who crossed that start line. Those people, particularly #visorclub #gss and twitter friends made the whole event unforgettable.

I’d say that better signage is the one big thing i’d Improve on for next year. Without Matt i’d still be running somewhere in mid-Wales by now. Some bits feel a little unsafe, like the mile on road but it’s not too bad at all.

I’m a big fan of running hills (as many who run with me regularly know) Its definitely an event I’d do again despite the really technical terrain, and if the company is half as good then it’ll be great!