London to Brighton 56Here's how RW members rated this race (45 votes). | 41 to 45 of 45 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 |
2008 race reviewed by: Arjay
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Tough but tremendously rewarding experience
In full: Even without the terrible weather this would have been a tough race. A combination of having to navigate 56 miles with a lot of climbing made it a challenge both mentally and physically.
It was very well organised with good support along the route and a warm welcome at the end from people who had been out all day. Thanks to all who helped in any way.
This was my longest run and I'd have to say it was a tremendous experience and this race has potential iconic status in the running calendar.
If you're thinking about doing it next year... I'd advise doing it with a running mate with a support team at least at checkpoints 2,3,4 and 5. Also you don't need to overdo the training. We did 4 weeks of 60 - 65 miles including a marathon and our longest run (30 miles) in one week. Although we were tired at the end, we still had the energy to up our pace in the last six miles - so although we were exhausted we must have had something left!
If you fancy an ultra you'd have to go a long way to beat this one.
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: kim masson
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: in short one of the hardest and most challenging events I've ever undertaken
In full: Really enjoyed this one. The rain and wind and mud all added to the adventure with the added difficulties of finding your way. It must have been very difficult coming up with the route which passed through some amazing country side. The highlight apart from finishing was getting to the top of Ditchling Beacon and just as we got to the top there was break in the cloud and mist leaving increeible views looking back to where we had come from. The organisation and the support from other runners was superb from start to finish.
This event has all the ingredients of becoming a classic.
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Pooh aka MF7
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough wet and very long
In full: Take this on without a full recce of the route at your peril. Take this on without a complete support crew at your peril. Take this on without a huge desire to finish and you will fail. Not the best organised event I have ever done but certainly the toughest. My running buddy and i did just manage to finish in joint 81st place. Officailly the last finishers but we made it!
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Taff Boy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hardest race I have ever run
In full: This extremely hilly, multi terrain town and cross country race is
the hardest run I have ever done. The web site describes the weather
conditions as making the race truly punishing, which in parts it was.
It rained right from the 7 am start in Greenwich Park. We wound out
of various London suburbs for around 9 miles, whilst having to
navigate by map all the way. We hit the first check point comfortably
inside our target time somewhere in the middle of the 190 or so
runners who set off. The cut off times were a little tight given the
distance. We arrived at 18.5 miles at around 3 hrs 25m, drenched and
filthy to be met by an angel in the form of a supporter with
supplies and a clean t-shirt. I couldn't bear the thought of trying to
peel my socks off but a warm t felt good, for about ten minutes. Met my supporter again at 25ish and cruised through 28 miles feeling good in
5hrs 45m. We made a number of errors in navigation at various points
and had to stop frequently to work out bearings. Still, only two miles
extra, which is better than one lad who did seven!!
Slowed a lot in the third quarter which wasn't down to lack of
fitness. The trails, particularly on the hills, had by this point been
turned into either mud baths or long wide puddles that stretched often
50 plus feet in front if not more. There was very little hard ground
and even the fields were saturated. Difficult to walk let alone run.
Fantastic scenery though and actually great support at various points.
Hit the 4th checkpoint slowing down and the 5th bang on
11 hours - which meant the previous 19 miles or so had taken a slow
5hrs 15min. Still only 11 miles to go at that point.
Major problems though followed. As we were about an hour off target
and getting slower due to the conditions, we were caught in the dark.
We collected a lost lady runner on route and only had my head torch
between us. We still had Ditchling Beacon to climb and before we
reached the bottom it was pitch black. We had no chance of seeing the
trail and had to walk across unlit and unmarked fields. I would guess
it took us around 1 hr 45m to cover about 4 or 5 miles. We somehow
managed to get to the top of Ditchling and were warned by a supporter
that the marshals were pulling runners due to the time and conditions.
There was no way in the world I was being pulled at 50 miles and we
set off running down the main road having picked up luminous torches
from a supporter. The last 6 miles will stick in my mind for ever. We
were very tired, soaking wet and at the end of our reserves. The three
of us ran most of the way with very little conversation save to
discuss direction. All you could hear apart from the traffic, was the
sound of 3 sets of feet pounding the pavement getting nearer and
nearer with every step. Our compatriot even seemed to pick up the pace
at one point.
And then the finish. Fantastic. Out of the 190 or so starters, only
81 finished. This was a truly remarkable experience and one that I am
very glad to have had. Hopefully Luton marathon should now seem like
an extended tempo run, although I suspect not!!
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Lisa Hussey 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It's tough and you have to map read but that adds to the sense of achievement.
In full: The weather made this tougher as it rained the whole way. It was my first event of this kind and I managed to not get too lost with my map reading skills! Others didn't get on so well. I would recommend this event if you want a mental and physical challenge but not if you have a hopeless sense of direction! Good organisation and support as well as comraderie with fellow runners.
Date of review: October 7, 2008
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