The race started at 7am, which was great for a change! Fortunately the start was a 15 minute drive away which was even better! Temps were cool but the sun was making an appearance so I was a little worried about later in the morning when we’d be exposed in the Malvern Hills. I had everything I needed on me so the only thing I needed from the 5 checkpoints would be water. I decided to carry 20 gels and a few packets of electrolyte mix from the start. The kit requirements were extremely minimal, arguably “recommended,” so all the nutrition was offset by little gear, this worked out well. I’d be eating one gel every 25 minutes or so for about 90 grams of carbs an hour.
Check in was easy and laid back. This was more of a small local race which I liked. I bumped into a guy I know from Kidderminster and chatted briefly, then we were asked to gather for a start line photo and we’d be off. We were starting in Abberley, a village partially off the Worcestershire Way (WW), a 31 or so mile National Trail that starts in Bewdley and finished in Great Malvern. The photo never happened and soon we were running. Off to the front I went settling in behind a guy who won last year. We zigzagged through town and soon were on the Worcestershire Way. We’d be going to the far end of the Malvern Hills and turning around to head back the way we came.
Myself and two other guys settled into a decent pace, probably about 7:30 minute miles, which was about where I wanted to be. The path was super dry and I could’ve easily wore road shoes. The chat was little at first and the previous winner kept surging for some odd reason. Absolutely no point this early in the race to do that, once the chatting began he was rather competitive in his talking rather than friendly. I didn’t care for that. The other guy I was with was good for conversation, I liked that. So I stuck with him and let the other guy do what he wanted to do. He was never too far ahead of us.
This race was navigation, even though it was on the WW, which is signposted, there would be no markings from the race director. Trails here are maintained, but nothing like the trails in the US. It was very common for signs to rot out and fall down, or be covered by overgrowth and you miss a turn or a gate buried in a hedgerow. I guess kind of the fun of this race, especially at the start. There were a few barb wired fences to hop over remedying mistakes, backtracking, and bumping into other people who also went the wrong way. Not really “racing atmosphere” but everyone laughing and helping each other out to find the way, definitely the vibe of an ultramarathon which I enjoy. I had intended to run the course before the race but only had time to run 7 miles from Checkpoint 2 at Suckley to the Malverns and back. The second section, CP1-CP2, I would’ve benefited greatly from as this is where most of the mistakes were made in navigation, I believe a tiny bit on the first section as well.
It was fairly easy going to start. I was eating my gels as planned, unfortunately for some reason my “nutrition alert” on my watch wasn’t working. It’s an alarm that goes off every 25 minutes. No idea why. Also my navigation on my watch decided to not notify me of turns and also wasn’t telling me when I was off course initially. Technology. Last time I did this I had a paper map and all my watch did was track me! I was with other guys who had watches twice the value of mine so we were ok. It’s a fairly intuitive route as well so you’re really never truly lost.
As we dropped down to the River Teme the trail gets braided. A beautiful section however I always get pulled to the braid along the water when in fact the WW trends uphill. We of course all did this and began to question it. The lead guy opted to turn around, the guy with me said his watch says we were on track, I knew there was a connection to the main WW ahead. So, as the lead guy turned back we went forward trusting local knowledge and a GPS watch. We popped out in the lead and continued on. It was early in the race so a minor advantage if at all. We’d see the guy again.
Old photo from the same route. Beautiful valley.
The weather was perfect and things were going well. We moved through the first checkpoint super fast and onto the annoying fields that I know I’ve gotten off route on. Sure enough, right away we’re off route and need to hop a fence, we see others doing the same from the top of a hill ahead in the distance. This was one spot you could make up time by cutting a field rather than following the edges of it as the route indicates. I’m assuming because of the live stock the land owner prefers people to go around. Through a few more fields and again we get off route. This time we dropped down a hill and lost a decent amount of time. As we climbed back up we were greeted by a group of four I believe that made the same mistake. So, we all worked to together to get back on route. Nothing major really but once again could’ve been a bit of an advantage. However it was nice to run with other folks and chat away as you do early in these events.
Checkpoint photo
Down Ankerdine Hill and into Knightwick, things had spread out a bit, but soon we were all together again. One guy had made his own gels and commented jokingly how “we’ll see how they work later in the race!” concerned about how they’ll treat his stomach. Unfortunately at the end someone said some guy was puking and possibly dropped, could’ve unfortunately been him, funny but also not funny. Just finishing these events is impressive and it’s a shame to hear people needing to drop.
Conversation was flowing a bit too much and the pace became complacent. The two guys I initially was running with had pulled ahead while I got to know people. Great conversation and nice guys buy we needed to be going faster so I pulled away pursuing the top two. A bit of a push and I was back with them. The “lead guy” still kept throwing in these odd surges and we let him go ahead, always within sight. We dropped into CP2 at Suckley, filled water, and I began soaking my head to keep cool. The next section was 9 miles over open fields and the Malvern Hills so exposed to the sun.
WW cutting through a rapeseed field
A bit of climbing and then into a consistent stretch of flats along farming roads. It was nice to be comfortably holding 7:30 miles around 20 miles into the race. The lead guy seemed to be struggling on the flats but always looked ok in the hills. Soon we were starting the climbing into the Malverns. Short steepish sections, steep stairs, a bit of uphill road, and then onto the gravel paths of the Malvern Hills. Despite being really hilly it’s all fairly mellow and runnable. I always forget that and we probably took two it easier than we should’ve, it was still early though.
Stairs leading up to the Malvern Hills
Along the Malverns it got busier with people walking, dogs, other runners. It’s a very popular beauty spot. We also had to keep an eye out for two “punch points” that proved we took the right route. A stamper marked a unique pattern on a piece of paper proving our passage. A little nerve racking but really not a problem. The weather was sunny but a cool breeze kept it nice out. I still was conscious of my hydration just in case.
2nd and 3rd place on the Malverns
Across the Malverns was easy going for my new friend and I, the leader always in sight. Soon we were dropping down into CP3 and the turnaround. We met up with the leader there who commented jokingly “been waiting 10 minutes for you guys, where you been,” which kind of showed his demeanor that I didn’t care for. You’d hope for a more positive “well done,” or “good going” response rather than a snide comment like that but whatever. We all left the CP together, top 3.
Across the Malverns again returning where we came from and the guy I’d been running with told me to go on as he wasn’t feeling the best. I wished him the best and picked up the pace. Soon I was back with the leader and I ran with him for a bit. I couldn’t do it. The conversation just wasn’t what I wanted, he was obviously a competitive person, which is fine, but just not the experience I wanted. I slowed down to let him go ahead and kept him in sight.
Yes. I took a selfie overlooking the backside of the Malverns looking into Herefordshire
I encouraged all the runners I crossed paths with seeing everyone on the 47 mile route being an out and back. They gave me updates on how far back I was, about two minutes. I could see him all along the hills and the flats as well, but soon lost sight in the trees which was probably a mistake if I wanted to win. I wasn’t overly concerned about winning, I get a lot out of these events whether I have a good result or not, but it does linger in the back of your mind.
Descending the Malvern Hills on the return leg
Behind me I spotted a guy moving fast towards me, I couldn’t believe it, but when he finally caught me he said “don’t worry, I’m in the shorter race!” I used his freshness to pace me faster and we were moving along really well. After CP 4 at Suckley he pulled away and I slowed. I ran alone for the final 15 miles. I felt decent, better than I in the past.
One observation was my hamstrings began to cramp, but focusing on good running technique I resolved it and ran faster. Slow moving technique that is common in ultras really stresses the hip flexors and hamstrings. Proper running form gives the posterior chain of muscles a break. The front and rear essentially turn off and on giving each side a rest and you move more efficiently. This made the difference towards the end for me and was a huge lightbulb moment for the future. So blatantly obvious too.
CP 5 at the Admiral Rodney Pub I soaked my head as usual, filled my bottles despite only having 7 or so miles left, and was off. One major mistake I made here and at the previous checkpoint was that I didn’t ask how far ahead 1st was. Looking at the results at CP4 he was only 4 minutes up, CP5 I think 10 or so. Both would’ve been a motivator to move quicker which was very very available to me. Once again probably goes back to my personal goals, mainly winning wasn’t a huge priority to me, but this still this kind of disappointing.
I ran strong the final section and soon was descending into Abberley. I crossed the finish in second and was greeted by my wife and son. My daughter had dance and was excited to show her dance instructor her solo routine. This was super important to her so I encouraged her to skip my race. It was fun to see family at the end. The finish was mellow, few people, here’s your medal, take a few photos, done.
I hung out and chatted with the top 6 runners and soon was on my way, thankfully 15 minutes driving! I think this could become an annual event for me due to the convenience!
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