I signed up to complete the 100km non stop, this was my second ultra after completing a local 34mile race earlier on in my training. My sign up was very last minute, but communication was great from the organisers. Lots of email updates, training, blogs and advice. I was due to collect my race pack on the day and assigned wave A.

On the day me and my team arrived in a shared coach, being dropped off in a non descript Field! But plenty of parking, loads of toilets - nice surprise - and a few other tents. Facilities were available to fill water bottles, collecting my registration there was very easy and bag drop again, no queues! Due to leaving a bit late, we missed wave A and so therefore very easily joined into wave B leaving around 7.50am (so a few minutes later than schedule). 

The start itself is strange, it’s slow, mixed walkers and runners and very narrow. If you want space then definitelybstrat at the front. It takes a few km before the field narrows out, mostly noticeable from CP1 onwards. The public still use some of the paths so be careful, also be careful for walkers walking sticks as they stick out everywhere! 

The scenery is lovely, and take it in early as later on you will most likely be too tired to tell! The route as well is well signposted throughout. CP1 comes along quickly and is the most stocked from the day! There is suncream at each CP so no need to carry anyway with you. The CPs as a whole are disappointing, they aren’t at regular 10km intervals, with a couple reaching to 12km - and believe me you feel it. The supplies in the first half are good, sweets, cereal bars, electrolytes, fruit etc but the second half the choice depletes - the wrong way round really! 

I was unfortunate to fall over after a tricky wooded section between CP2 to 3, this resulted in a bit cut on my hand, knee and plenty of blood. Luckily i wasn’t alone and I did have some first aid with me, so managed to get some padding on to keep me going to the next CP.  this was a long way, and it was uncomfortable and worrying. The first aid tent patched me up, however if I had done something worse... you really are alone from medical support on the course. 

Just after 50km you reach the midway point. This is disheartening when you have to carry on! You run towards the finish line and then are diverted off to the side and a standard CP. You can get some hot food but when I reached there it was pasta and pasta, deciding against that in favour of a twister ice lolly and getting my hand re patched. It’s far too easy to spend a long time there, my team did and to be honest I wish we had ploughed on. 

The second half sees a much tougher footing, with very steep inclines and declines. By this point it really is a mental battle, and the runners really club together to push each other forward. CP7 to CP8 is definitely the hardest, 12km in length and the majority is steep inclines without shade. Many people pulled out at this point, and it did cross my mind also! 

The final stretch sees some real treacherous terrain, and it was dark for me at this point. It is a shame there is not some lighting on route or Marshall’s to warn you. Finally the route takes you to the stones (please don’t expect to be blown away! Maybe it was the exhaustion but it was underwhelming!) you then don’t finish but return to a field and run the outer ring. This again is a mental battle, so little a distance left but it really does go on! 

The finish area greets you with pizza, salad and alcohol you can pay for. I recommend to really get picked up and home as soon as you can here - unfortunately our team was stretched out and 6 hours waiting in a cold shed was not ideal! 

Overall, for me I expected better for the price. But maybe that’s the exhaustion talking!