Exe to Axe 20 miler

I did it a few years ago and came second female. It's the Grizzly without the gimmicks. Yes hard terrain and same demographic just without the bog and stuff... In short it's a good understated run without trying to to be commercial or quirky.

When you say the Exmoor ultra, is that the Endurancelife one? The Exe to Axe is a great race but I have not done the Grizzly

Blakester - will let you know on Monday!  Did the Exe to Axe a few years back, and really enjoyed it, loved the hills - Branscombe sticks in my mind!

Doing the Grizzly on Sunday so will let you know! 

TBH - for the price and the crowds would rather do Exe to Axe, but cannot this year due to other races so went for the Grizzly. That is speaking before the run, so I may change my view!

blakester wrote (see)

Yes sideburn think on the 13th April 34 miles.

I am doing the marathon; I have just been out and done the 10k course this morning this is the first 10k of the marathon and the first and last 10k of the ultra. If you have not done the course before you need to do your homework. I think it is a brilliant course but brutally hard if you get your pace wrong... I cannot wait!

I found the route a little awkward but worked it out wih an ordanance survey 1:25,000 (OL9). Look at the 10k course, that is your 1st and last 10k. This 10k event was won in just under 1 hour last year. It is hard with a series of climbs and descents up to 300m. The 10k before the last 10k is a series of undulations which are deceptive ie you think you are at the top, go round a corner and go up again! Very demoralising when you know you have to run up to 300m again! If you are able to scout out the course; especially the last 20k of it, do it. This is home turf for me so any problems let me know and I will do what I can.

I think ultras are all about steady and good pacing. Next long one for me is in the Welsh Black Mountains.... ahhhh! 23rd of March; nice little birthday present to myself! http://www.mightcontainnuts.com/events/welsh_ultra_running_series/index_ultra_one.html

Rode round the course last week it seems easier than the Exmoor; it is higher but there are less hills than Exmoor! 

I did it the same time as Kittencat. Effortwise I'd say it is as tough as the Grizzly. No bogs or stuff but more climb. I did dehydrate on the run, if I ever do it again I'll use a Camelback.

There are a couple of navigational issues, but keep the sea on your right and you will get there in the end.

Still at Seaton there are several excellent fish and chip shops and you can have a pint or two in the Hook and Parrot.

Thank you blakester; I needed the luck! The weather was amazing and I have only just got home! I spent last night under canvas! My fingers and toes are still tingling! I have just posted this under "Rubbish weather" so apologies, but you get the idea!

My race wasn't cancelled  Which is almost a bit strange because it was in the Black mountains in Wales! We looned about in snow drifts, ice-fields, mud-slides, dirt-tracks that looked like small lakes, paths that looked like streams. I was as happy as a pig in s**t! Full credit to the organisers, Might Contain Nuts for going the extra mile. They upgraded the kit list, provided weather reports and revised the route at the last minute. I bet a few organisers would have relied on their cancellation clause and gone to the pub to count their money; but not them. I am feeling a little second hand at the moment! A bit of roast lamb should sort me out

I could not believe that some of the marshals were able to stay at a few hundred meters in a blizzard and not die! I would have been very p'ed off if they had cancelled but I would have accepted it as conditions were extreme. A good present to myself! Not everyone's cup of tea but just nuts to me! (pun intended). Sounds like you are well on the way with your training, but don't overdo it!

Exe to Axe is a really good event. Hope it stays under the radar of most runners as the Grizzly is a bit of a scrum. This run is everything that the Endurance Life Runs offer without the price tag. You will be advised to take some food but there are several shops on the route . I especially like the cheep bus from finish to the start at the beginning of the race

I will be there. Trail shoes would be better even if it is dry. At times you will be running down very steep slopes so the extra grip will help. Some of the slopes are steep grass which can be slippery even if dry.