Ultra 30

Ian - has the route been finalised yet? I'm hoping to have a go at some bits of it in preparation, so if I use last year's course as a guide, is that likely to be roughly right?

RR the route will not change from last year although there might be some very minor changes. here is the route details

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4447885

Hi RR. I've run the course in two sections as well. Didn't like some road bits in the first half where I failed to find the off-road paths (not knowing they existed) and nearly got flattened by some cars on the twisty bits of road, but Ian assures me that the points to get onto the foot paths parallelling the roads will be well marked on the day. Also didn't like trying to cross the main road at Catford Bridge, and failed to find which road I was supposed to run down on the other side of the main road, so I must look at the maps better then try that part again!

How are you doing with your malt loaf and pretzels? I like those, also flapjacks and Kendal mint cake.

For me, this ultra is also going to be a test on wearing my VivoBarefoot Neos for hopefully the whole run - since I want to wear my trail Neos for NDW50 five weeks later.

Note to all: Featherbed Lane is the road just after the White Bear pub, but there's no road name sign, so just turn left after the pub!

Debra

It will be marked on the day but at Catford you do not go over the road. You go under the bridge which then goes past the entrance to the station.

Also, turn off at featherbed lane will be marked as will the turn off for the offroad sections. 

Happy training.... ps we will have a pre and post run massage facility available on race day. I have circulated details of this in my last email but will be sending out further info this w/e. 

Hi Ian,

I'm sure it will be marked on the day - my comment re. Featherbed Lane was for anyone else running it as a training run (not a comment on your run, I'm just getting fed up of trying to follow directions on training runs in general when half of UK roads don't have any signs on them giving their names).

Looking again at the route, on higher magnification, I see that when I ran up from the waterway route, past a few large stores and reached the main road, I should have instead have veered right, across the car park, and would then have found the route under the bridge. That (a) makes more sense and (b) explains how I failed to find Adenmore Rd once I'd crossed the road - it doesn't have an end coming out onto the main road!

hi ian, unfortunatly im not going to be able to make it to croydon ultra now. am a bit fed up about it as i did my first ultra end of may and it went really well. my daughter had some dance exams which fall on same day, they have now been changed to another date but my oh has booked to do the london 10k that same weekend  now so i have no way of doing croydon. there is someone who ran northants with me who may be able to do croydon in my place so i will let you know if he can. hope everyones training going well for croydon.lou x

If I was to do this, taking LLBs place I would have no chance of any recce.  What is the navigation like?

Spen, like Running Rodent says, it's not bad - message me and I could send you the directions I wrote for myself if you want (you might want to wait for those until after this Sunday when I hope to try the section towards Catford Bridge again). Ian's website also mentioned that there would be written instructions on the day, as well as markings. The cycling map I took with me for the first half ran out just before the Featherbed Lane turn (naturally) , so I had to check with some people sitting outside the White Bear, which is why I mentioned it - street signs, why should we have street signs???!!!

RR - you will be able to leave a drop bag at Sandilands half way point so your jam sandwiches will be safe!

Spen - as RR and Debra state the route will be marked and there will be a route description for all runners. You should be fine as its really straight forward. There will also be a race briefing at the start to make sure all is OK etc.   

ian ,doyou know of any other events run by yourself or anyone else similar in south east i could do? im really a bit gutted i cant get to this one now

Lou, depends when you are planning on racing. I organise a race in October, Vanguard Way part of Extreme Energy. Its a two day multi stage but you can enter for one day as well. Oct 6 and 7th. I can recommend that. 

This maybe too early for you, but I would recommend the Downlands 30 in late July. I will be doing that one. I've done it twice before. Out and back over the South Downs.

There is always the Beachy Head marathon in end October. Its usually full but they do have a waiting list and I've put my name on it before and got a place, so worth a try. great but hard course.        

Ian - I was going to mention the Downlands 30 but didn't want to go suggesting other races on a thread for your race!

The south downs are a great place to run, worth looking at loulabell

Ian, can you confirm that I am on the entry list as haven't recieved any of your emails,

David Hollidge also my brother Paul should be entered? Thanks

thanks ian and wib, late july is prob a bit late yes as i have northdowns dont forget wib on 11th..but early october sounds good as i have abingon marathon on 21st oct so theres a decent enough gap for that. may look at vanguards then ian. what do i do about my entry fee for croydon if spen doesnt want to have my place? 

Loulabel - sorry for delay in responding. if your friend cant take your place then i can refund or defer you to 2013 if you like. let me know what the outcome is first. Ian 

Loulabel, i can refund or defer you to next year if you like. let me know what Spen71 does.  

DR H - you should have received the email update last week. I will double check the mailing list. Should be another mailing out this w/e.  

hi ian. spen is doing a mara that day so could you please keep the entry fee and put me down for next years croydon?thats fine,thanks ,lou