This was my first ever Ultra event (50k) and first time having to navigate an unsigned course. I decided to enter coming off the back of Brighton marathon and Endure24 to see if I could manage an ultra in one go (having done 40miles in a team at Endure). The race is local to me so seemed like a no brainer to choose this one.  

GPS is recommended but announcements online and the website said it was perfectly possible to navigate using only the instructions. As I didn’t want to shell out on a GPS for what might be my first and last Ultra or have time to learn to use it I decided I’d stick with old fashioned instructions. I was quite happy with this until I arrived at registration and the lady who handed me my maps asked if I was ok with my GPS and when I said I wasn’t using one she pulled a face like I was mental, not so good for last minute nerves but was a little late by then! 

Due to the extremely high unaverage UK temperatures in the weeks leading up to the event the organisers kindly gave the 50k runners the option to start at 6am with the 100k runners should they wish to do so.  As I hate running in the heat I decided I would definitely go with this option and although the weather broke on the Friday I stuck with that decision and was glad I did.  I appreciate that logistically this was easy for me as I only had a 10min commute from home to the start and might not be feasible for those outside the area but for anyone who couldn’t/didn’t want to they could still start at 8am.

Registration and the start was well organised and you were given a lovely RRUM buff with your number so you could wear it during the race if you wanted and most people did. This made a nice change from the usual tshirts! The race got underway (under black clouds and rain!) fairly promptly. 

The race itself is multi terrain incoprating trails, fields, road. Despite being local to Reading it took me places I never knew existed, especially to the west side of town and I was surprised how green and how many hidden trail paths there are. For the most part I found it a very enjoyable route. There was a change from the original route I’d seen (& recce’d) which I think must’ve been last years and instead of going through Winnersh, through Dinton and over to the Lands End pub (CP4) via Whistley Green you instead went down the new Winnersh relief road, round the outskirts of Dinton and through the back of the airfield to the pub.  I personally think the original route was nicer but overall didn’t affect my enjoyment. I was lucky that I ended up running with another runner who knew the route so never actually had to use my instructions or navigate myself. I’m pretty sure I would have gotten lost once or twice had this not been the case or at least it would have taken me much longer!

The checkpoints were all manned by friendly & supportive Marshall’s, especially CP4 and CP2 had very posh toilets inside an office block! The checkpoints were all well stocked with a mix of sweet & salty goods plus coke and water all of which went down well and was gratefully received. 

From the last checkpoint to the finish was ‘only’ about 4 miles which was nice. I know the last stretch of the race well from Reading parkrun and even managed a sprint finish to the line! The guy behind me did not have his race number taken down when he finished and told the guy when he realised that he had finished in a time faster than mine (I don’t think on purpose), time wasn’t important to me just the finish so I said nowt but perhaps a little more care in noting incoming runners as they come in.  On finishing I was given a lovely chunky medal and there were a selection of yummy sandwiches on offer - a prawn mayo sarnie never tasted so good! 

Overall I had a fantastic time taking part in this event and couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to ultrarunning! I will definitely sign up again in future, though I don’t think I’d fancy doing another lap for the 100k!