Running in conjunction with the round the Island Yacht Race, this 70 mile ultra is run over 2 days, the course follows the Coastal path around our sunny Islands perimeter visiting each corner of our diamond along the way. Day 1 sees the competitors travel from East Cowes the 38 miles along the coastal path clockwise to Brighstone.
One plucky roadrunner took on the challenge for the second time, having completed the event previously. Starting at the floating bridge at East Cowes, Mark Brazier set off eagerly with his friend George (brother of roadrunner James Shoulder) along toward Wootton. The pair lead the field at this early stage as they struggled to settle into their ultra pace. Onward to Ryde they continued, turning south along the spectacularly undulating eastern coastline. But as with every viewpoint, there is the small task of getting up there! Some killer ascents peppered the days challenge
“It’s not often I have to stop for a breather at walking pace” said Mark “there were some killer ascents! Seaview, Culver, Steephill & Seven Sisters at Ventnor and the steps coming up from Shanklin seafront stick in my memory” he recalls.
Welcoming race officials at all the checkpoints, (some with familiar faces) on route gave the pair fantastic comfort, words of support and practical help, (Mark confesses he was too tired to fill up his Camelback, so marshalls were more than happy to oblige) and food.
“Warm cheese slices, pork scratchings and cheap cola have never tasted so good!” He quips
Up hills and up Down, along scorching seafronts and descending the Devils Chimney. Through landslip, fallen cliff paths and Botanic Garden they finally turned the corner at Blackgang to emerge on to flatter ground with their days finish line almost in sight in the distance at Brighstone. Under the red victory arch they went in 7.48.26.
“Day 1 was a hard slog and cant say i really enjoyed it that much, it was very hot and whilst starting off fresh and injury free, I ended the day feeling pretty battered. In hindsight the early pace, lack of fuel early on – coupled with a poor choice of footwear, (newish trail shoes), made for an uncomfortable day. The race plan of running all the flat/downhill sections and only walking the climbs going out the window, just having nothing left at times”
Being local lads, Mark and George opted out of the included camping in favour of a night at home in their own beds. A high carb dinner and an early night without Marks night-time daddy duties were in order as the pair tried to rest up up and recover ready for day 2 and another 32 miles.
Day 2 – Mark and George had 32 miles to cover on tired legs and blistered feet. The heat was more intense as the temperatures reached the mid 20s early in the day. They had before them the glorious (if somewhat daunting) sight of the chalky cliffs of Freshwater and Tennyson as they started off more cautiously than they had the day before, (i.e. by not bursting into the lead)
“Day 2 was psychologically easier. Knowing that we’d run further yesterday than we had to do today and that we’d already taken on most of the big climbs already was a real boost”
Turning at the Needles Mark felt a feeling of relief that despite having 20 odd miles to go they were now on the home stretch. They continued on toward Totland where they took a bit of a wrong turn and ended up climbing Headon Warren twice. But once back on the right track they followed then the twists and turns around Cranmore to emerge at Porchfield
Just a few more hills along to Thorness and Gurnard before they were on the home stretch along the flat seafront.
“I was walking at this point last time I did this event, so I was determined to run this last section. I even managed a bit of a spurt to the finish line so I ended on a high”
They’d made it. They’d only gone and done it! Mark finished day 2 in 6.38.10 bringing his overall time to 14.26.36, 11 minutes quicker than his previous outing on the course and a fantastic 22nd place overall.
“I’m sure with a few tweaks I could get round faster. The biggest challenge over this distance is trying to keep running when your mind is telling you to relax and walk. I still didn’t get this right this time, but it was a step (or 115,000 steps) in the right direction”
Sounds like Mark will be back to take on this challenge again. Just don’t wear new shoes next time…..
