This is the perfect race!
Everything about it was absolutely faultless. From the easy online booking to the barbecue on the beach at the end in the wee small hours.
If you love fast, flat, tarmac running, this is not the race for you! If you crave hilly trails and adventure look no further.
I parked my car in the free car park at the finish and caught the provided shuttle bus to race HQ overlooking the iconic Needles at the Isle of Wight’s extreme western end.
Every entrant had been sent the .GPX of the route and was also given a laminated route map with emergency numbers provided.
The race brief was short and sweet and we set of at 2100 (yes, 9pm!) on the hottest day of the year. Straight into the first of several big climbs.
There were three planned aid stations, but as we were experiencing a heatwave, the organisers added another couple to keep the competitors safe. Water, sweets, bananas, flapjack and even a cup of tea! All provided by cheerful marshals with excellent local knowledge.
As the sun set behind us, we moved eastwards across the Island through every terrain imaginable. As darkness fell, the string of head-torches strung across the countryside was a sight to behold.
I ran with a group of friends and we had an absolutely wonderful experience. We took just over 6 hours to complete the challenging 27 mile course, but could have gone quicker if we’d done some training..! Whoops!
We’ll be back next year. We might even do some training for it..!
For those who’d driven to the start there was even a shuttle bus back from the finish line.
No chip timing, no official timing at all, but with an adventure like this you don’t need that!
An absolutely perfect race, well organised and safety conscious. And running from dusk to dawn gives a very different perspective on the beautiful island I call home.
Big thanks to Phil and everyone at GPSport for giving us an epic race that also supports a local children’s charity.