Marlborough Downs Challenge 33-mile Trail Race

Hi everyone

I'm considering entering the event in May 2013 as the Glos Ultra 50K was cancelled however have a couple of questions:

 i)How hilly is it?! I've run the manchester marathon and that was flat but given that this is an additional 9miles im not sure how well i could cope with hills.

ii)How easy is the route to navigate? Im concerned that Ill end up lost since im likely to be entering solo. I looked at last years route instructions and they look quite onerous to follow when running.

 Thanks

 Rich

It is hilly in a chalk downs way, rather than a fell race.

I did for the first time last year. Finishing half way down the field I found no problems navigating. There were always people to follow. At some points I had to check the route directions, but I found them very good.

Ok. By 'chalk downs' way meaning reasonably gradual climbs and ascents?

Thanks for your comments.

RT, I also was entered into the Glous 50km, hopefully they will reschedule on a weekend I can run!

I have entered this for the 3rd year running now, really enjoy this run.  Relatively flat first half then a couple of hills - one being the Cherhill monument and then undulating to Avebury, a drag over the ridgeway and a nice fast last 3 miles that you can enjoy.

Navigation is not too bad, only place you need to watch for is on top of the monument - I have run around there both years to my embarrisment!  Arrows tend to be out at trickier points and feed stations are about 4 miles apart.

Rather than have your nose in route instructions best to plot the course onto a map and follow that (although take instructions round as well).  This event is an ideal first foray into offroad/ultra running - very attractive course over lots of different surfaces.  Nothing too alarming and the distance manageable and there will almost always be somebody ahead in view.

Must do it again myself sometime.

It was fun running it with you on my first Ultra T-Rex, hope to do that again one day!

Hi RB.  What sort of ultras have you been doing since then?

Hi TRex, not many at all, mostly Marathons or just over.  Wessex Ridgeway was good.  Did Marlborough again last year, hope to get around 5H30 this year if the weather is good.  Really need to step up to some 50 milers, but not getting the time at the moment... bad excuse I know.

Doing a few races earlier this year, Glous 50km was going to be the first ... North Devon Mara will be good and then I will look at some of the Enduralife ones on the coast later in the year.

You have had a tough time over the last few months I hear from the SNOD forum?

Thanks for the responses guys. I think Ill give it a miss this year as the Cardiff 50m is on the same day but hopefully do it next year!

RB - well, this Cardiff ultra 50-miler is probably the "easiest" 50-miler in the calendar.

In terms of friendly events I also recommend the High Peak 40 (miles), Buxton, which has about 15 miles road and good offroad elements.

RB - I'm doing Endurancelife Flete ultra at the end of May if you're interested?  Includes an interesting estuary crossing.  Without a boat.

I have entered online through Runners World and got their standard acknowledgement. But nothing more yet. There was an entry list put up before the race last year. It is a low key event and I would not be concerned if you have not had confirmation yet.

The fact that the event has been reduced to only one race distance and the change from Saturday to Sunday may mean that they have lost organisers. However Marlborough are a strong club and I am sure it will be great on the day.

Hello All - not long left to go.  Weather looks normal!  By normal I mean no idea what it will be like!

Couple of days rain forecast, hopefully light so it can dry up before Sunday ...

See you all there.

Ben