Lostockers show they have real staying power in Ultra challenge
Janet Rhodes and Tom Grundy joined nearly 1500 runners from all over the world to take part in the Montane Lakeland 50.
The route is a real test of endurance and sure footedness with nearly 3000 metres of climbing and descent. It is an incredibly tough race with most finishing the final technical descent into Coniston aided by head torches.
The route starts from the Northern end of Ullswater within the grand Dalemain Estate before following the Eastern shore line as far as Howtown. A quick climb and descent followed by a trek along the banks of Haweswater sees you at Mardale Head.
The route from here visits Long Sleddale, Kentmere, Ambleside, Langdale and Tilberthwaite before the final climb and descent to the finish at Coniston. It is a truly amazing route and you visit places you never knew existed.
It's also worth mentioning the superb crowd support all over the route (including a team of Lostockers), the incredible atmosphere in Ambleside and Coniston and a special mention for the fantastic volunteers who look after you all the way round.
The winning male completed in 7 hours and 52 minutes and the winning female finished in 8 hours and 52 minutes. Both Lostockers put in sterling performances in their first attempts. Grundy completed his race in an incredible 11 hours and 58 seconds, placing 116th overall, 95th male and 45th in his age category. Rhodes finished in 12 hours 33 minutes and finished 284th overall, 74th woman and 8th in her age category.
Melonie Goodall, Dave Parry and Philip Holland competed in the Beyond Trails Manchester 55km. The route traverses the trails of Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Bury and Radcliffe. Jo McManus also completed the shorter distance of 25k. It was a tough run with lots of twists and turns.
Parry and Holland crossed the finish line together in an epic 6:17:59 securing 64 and 65 place out of 158 participants. Goodall also had an amazing run, finishing in 6:51.18. Despite getting lost and adding an extra couple of miles to her route McManus finished in an awesome 2:43:42.
Mark Shuttleworth and Mark Checkley completed the Harrock Hill fell Race. The race covers 5.3 miles on the tracks and fields of Parbold and Harrock Hills. This is a tough run with an elevation gain of 820ft. Shuttleworth had a fantastic run, completing the gruielling course in 47:15 followed by Checkley in 58:04.
Further away, Rachel and Markus Stevens completed the Battersea Park Race series. The race takes place in the park next to the iconic Battersea Power Station. Participants can opt to complete 5k or 10k. The Stevens' completed the 5k race which is 2 laps of the very flat London Park. Rachel had a good run, finishing in 26:41 and achieving third in her age category. Markus had an epic run achieving a 5k PB of 29:14 and also securing third place in his age category.
n Parkrun Results. Bolton Parkrun: Paul Edwards 21:26 (6th finisher and 1st in age category), Jay Smith 27:10 and Rachel Hancock 36:30. Haigh Woodland Parkrun:
Gareth Pratt 25:08 (3rd in age category), Anthony Sutton 25:39, Andy Laycock 26:52, Mike Berry 27:08, Sally McCoy 27:42 (1st in age category), Brian Halton 27:50 (3rd in age category), Bev Atherton-McKenna 28:38 (3rd in age category), Terri Aldred 28:53 (1st in age category), Paul Lacey 29:26, Lynda Hardman 30:01 and Ian Burns 31:39 (1st in age category). Keswick Parkrun: Katie Edern 27:47. Pennington Flash Parkrun: Mark Checkley 3:09. Rothay Parkrun: Greg Kilshaw 27:51. Seaton Parkrun: Chris Taylor 29:51 and Karen Taylor 34:21. Southampton Parkrun: Chris Baker 24:05. Worsley Wood Parkrun: Mark Shuttleworth 23:30
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