This was a great first ultramarathon for me. The out and back ten km loops might put some off but the support you got from the other runners as you passed them really kept you motivated. We got to know each other by race numbers so the shouts of "Hey 45, good to see you looking strong" and the high fives etc really gave you a boost. And then over the course of the morning around 1500 runners doing different distances were set off in waves which gave the feel of being part of a much bigger race. They managed to organise this so that it felt busy but never congested. 

The quality of the feed stations was unreal, a wide variety of drinks, snacks, and gels both in the ultra funnel at the end of the lap and the 5km turnaround. 

The marshals were brilliant, and as I'm generally a back marker it was great to see them offering enthusiastic support right to the end. Looking up your name and giving a personal shout out was a nice touch. 

And the course, it's basically like being on a narrowboat but on foot. Although some of the music in the tunnels was a bit spooky. 

All in all I'm not sure I could have picked a better first Ultra. Thanks to the organisers, you did a great job.