Marlborough Downs Challenge - Events

Greg Hawkins

05/12/2009 at 23:08

Hi All,

Just signed myself up for the 33 miler, anyone else done it before? I have done the South Downs Marathon before but never anything this far? Any tips or route info would be gratefully received.

Many Thanks

Greg

Edited: 06/12/2009 at 08:26

Aaron K

14/02/2010 at 11:37

Hi Greg,

Did this race last year, really enjoyed it! The course is definatley "undulating", and has the potenial to be quite muddy if the weather is poor, but great scenery and friendly marshalls.

Also, the map given out last year was pretty clear, leaving little chance of becoming too lost.

Mr Guy

12/03/2010 at 12:06

Just put my entry in for this. Sounds like itn will be fun, the navagation aspect worrys me, but fingers crossed it will be alright.

JonnyS

07/04/2010 at 08:39

I did the 20 miler 3 years ago & I'm thinking of the doing the 33 this year. Is it much the same type of terrain as the 20? I know the 33 milers join up with the 20 milers at some point. Looking forward to it, long off-roaders are my fave events.

Manfromindia

08/04/2010 at 23:57

Greetings. I have just entered the 33 mile event, which will hopefully be my longest run to date (on the back of Doyen of the Downs 30 in December and London Ultra 50K in February). I too hope that I will manage to muddle my way through the course with hardly any map reading skills. However, the event looks well organised and very promising.

StrawbreeMilk

15/04/2010 at 19:33

Hi guys - mind if I join you? I was about to do Edinburgh marathon but cannot get up there so am thinking of doing this runinstead. Question is should I do the 20 or the 33? Have run marathons in the past but this year have beenhampered with shin splints - better now but stil get a bit of an ache after a run. Not run longer than 20 this year in training. Any advice - do i go for the 20 and have a ball or go for the 33 and expect to hurt?

DavidWBush

20/04/2010 at 14:15

Hi all,

I think I got the last 33 mile place ... I think thats good news!

Manfromindia, I did DOTD in Dec too, this can't be so muddy! I missed the London Ultra but did the Country 2Capital 45m which was a great run.

MrGuy, seen you on a few forums before but not sure which ones ... which ultras/maras have you done?

I did Great Welsh on Sunday and have Shakespeare and then Neolithic prior to this so will not be pushing it!

The directions look complete but is there a map too .... or does anyone have one from last year?

Mr Guy

21/04/2010 at 13:55

Hi Dave I did the DOTD and Jurassic Coast Challenge, some marathons but I don’t think I joined the threads for them. I was planning on doing The Pilgrims challenge too but some friend rather inconsiderately decided to get married that weekend! I remember you from the DOTD thread I think. Good luck at Shakespeare, I did it last year and really enjoyed it.

Mr Guy

28/04/2010 at 08:49

I have just looked at the instuctions properly and they recomend we take our own maps: OS Explorer Sheet 175 and a compass. My map reading skills arn't up to much to I might not bother, I have a Garim to give me distance so hopfully with that and the instructions I'll be fine. Not sure I have done enought training though which could be a problem!

Mr Guy

28/04/2010 at 10:27

Sorry that should be OS Explorer Sheet 157

Sole Man

03/05/2010 at 12:19

Mr Guy, don't worry about navigation, just take Miss Ellie along. She has an 'app' for that!

I though you would be using the handle 'Ultra-Guy' by now. I'm thinking of using 'Sahara-John', or 'Florence of Arabia'.

I'm only doing the 20 so chances are high there will be no pasta left when you finish.

F'nar f'nar!

Mr Guy

04/05/2010 at 13:42

Alright John! Still thinking about the Ultra Guy thing, do think I have been doing enough running recently so justify it.
Ellie and I are doing the Bognor Regis 10k the day after this and she wants to beat me, I think she stands a pretty good chance as well give that I have never ran this far before.

Looking forawrd to hearing some MDS stories from you well done on geting through it and raising all that money.

cragchick

04/05/2010 at 17:51

I did this last year (the 33-miler) as my first foray into 'ultras'. The navigation was fine - there were a couple of bits where it was a little tricky but careful reading of the instructions sorted that out, the rest of the way there was usually someone visible ahead and behind, they also put little arrows out in some of the more confusing bits. Loved this race and hoping to do it again this year if dodgy back holds out after naff day at London the other week. Marshalls are really friendly - cups of squash, biscuits, jelly babies etc and beautiful scenery. Hope that convinces you all! I chopped up the relevant OS map and marked all the checkpoints on it beforehand, but don't think I actually referred to it much, just used the instructions mainly. Might see if I can re-upload the route onto my garmin for htis year, but am not reknowned for my techie abilities

Edited: 04/05/2010 at 17:52

Greg Hawkins

04/05/2010 at 20:06

The instructions they supply are quite detailed. I have searched and found a route of it on MapMyRun and they seem pretty easy to follow. Just hope the rain holds offf for the next couple of weeks.

Greg

Piranha

05/05/2010 at 14:18

Hi everyone, I was just wondering if there are any places for the 20 mile race left?

Greg Hawkins

05/05/2010 at 15:05

Piranha,

from their website:

The 33-mile Trail Race, 20-mile Trail Race and 20-mile Challenge Walk are FULL. Online entry is CLOSED. We cannot accept any further entries, so please don't ask! There is no waiting list for standby places. THERE WILL BE NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY.

Greg

Edited: 05/05/2010 at 15:06

Piranha

05/05/2010 at 15:08

ok, I understand thank you, I will have to be quicker next year. Have fun everyone.

Sole Man

11/05/2010 at 13:54

Piranha.

It might be worth contacting the organisers as Martin Loveless will be seeing his son off to Australia and has withdrawn from the event. Also, Paul Blundell was hit in the chest by a swinging-gate (stop laughing you lot) on the 3 Forts Half and has been advised not to run for a while.

Chop chop, I hope you get a place.

Piranha

11/05/2010 at 14:22

Thanks Sole Man, unfortunately I can't do it now as I am doing the Moom Walk now on Saturday night. Good luck to everyone.

DavidWBush

11/05/2010 at 14:49

I trust everyones training is going well for the 33 .... I am still recovering from the Neolithic and think this one is going to be a struggle - please don't eat all the goodies at the checkpoints before I get there ..