Ox Races

Deepest Wiltshire.

Rolling Hills and well… more rolling hills.
Another weekend of White Star Running’s superb running events. Feats of endurance , feats of fancy dress and feats of personal challenge, they are all on show here.

Set in the Rushmore Estate near Tollard Royal. This glorious display of the English countryside is nestled within Cranbourne Chase, an ancient deer forest. Formerly the royal hunting grounds of King John, the last 10 years have seen some major restoration work resulting in the area now being recognised as a wildlife site of national importance.

In it’s fourth year the Ox has undergone some changes of its own. Previously known for its Marathon and ultra races, these 2 distances were not on offer this year due to some land owner issues. Fortunately, White Star Running had come up with a plan B. Whilst the Half Marathon went ahead unaffected, the longer distances were offered in a different format. Using the 10k circuit used for the light/dark races, runners wanting to compete at distance could either take on the 50 mile challenge or the 12 hour (run as many loops as you can) option.

Two of our tenacious ultra specialists took up the 12 hour challenge. Dan Williams and Michael Coultrup embarked upon the endurance test.

Mike got off to a flying start, clocking the 2nd fastest circuit of the whole completion. However the self proclaimed king of mud was disappointed with the firmness of the terrain.

“It was hard going underfoot. The ground is so dry, it was tough on your ankles”

He completed 4 laps of the course (a tidy marathon distance) and a time of 3.43.01 giving him 2nd over the distance within the competition.
Dan however kept on running. Round and round he went clocking an unbelievable 10 laps of the course, right upto the wire. Sneaking in in 11 hours 59 minutes and 03 seconds. Bringing him in a 🏅🏅 3rd place overall, covering 64 miles! What a fantastic display of grit and determination, of endurance and mind over matter. Dan we salute you.

And so to bed, with on site camping they tucked down for the night, ready to drive home the following morning…… they’d run 90 miles between them, they must be tired right?

Wrong!

Up with the lark, the following day, unbelievably they are ready for more and standing on the startline of the Light Ox (1 loop) race. Joined by Dans girlfriend Kay (running in her first off road race) they set off again into the countryside.
Mike arrived first over the line in 52.13 to claim 11th place overall despite messing about half the race, whilst Dan ran the whole way with Kay to come in at 1.20.07.

“That was a horrible leg stretcher for me” said Dan

No such words from from the Prince of Purple as within an hour of finishing that race, he was on the startline of a third!! The Ox Half!

By now he was joined by a few more familiar faces. Elaine Harris, Julie Salter and Kevin & Joe Winchcombe had now arrived to complete this hilly half marathon challenge.

“That was really hilly but throughly enjoyable” said Kev “it was more like 14 miles than 13!”

An extra mile thrown in free, White Star Running are very good like that. Free miles, free food, free photos and a squeaky rubber heffa! No wonder their events are becoming sell outs! Mike was the first roadrunner home, bringing his total mileage for the weekend upto 46. Next in was Joe Winchcombe followed by his dad. The girls took it at a leisurely pace having both run marathons in recent weeks.