This is a brand new race on a new course. The format is 5 x 10 mile loops, returning each time to the field in which you will register on race morning. There is one other aid station at 5.5 miles in to each 10 mile loop. So effectively 9 aid stations and then the finish. 

The point of this post is to give you an insight in to the course, the possible conditions and how to best prepare during these final few weeks to race day.

Many of you have recce'd the course so are by now familiar with the terrain and are well placed to think about the format and your race plan. Some of you cannot get to the course before race day and/or are new to this area and this format so this post is designed to give you some key pointers to think about in order to have your best day out on course.

The Gruffalo Resides in the Woods at Mile 1.

FORMAT

Laps are not to everyones liking, but if you are running the race then you have signed up for a race including 5 x 10 mile loops so we are taking it for a given that you either like a looped format, or giving it a go for the first time to see!

The benefits of laps are: Familiarity with the course during the later loops. Sharing the trail later in the race with runners at differing ends of the speed spectrum. A natural break down of the race in to smaller chunks than 50 miles point to point offers. Regular access to both our aid stations and your own provisions (you may access your drop bag each 10 miles).

Some potential challenges of laps are: Repetition of the course. Sharing the trail with faster runners who come past looking as though they are out for a 5km. A natural break down of the course in to the perfect point to quit every 10 miles. Regular access to aid stations and your own provisions where you may be inclined to waste time.

Think about the positives, not the challenges. And if you complain about having to run the same loop 5 times, it will fall on deaf ears of the Race Director who twice this year has 'had' to run 24 hour races on 1km road loops. We choose to do these things for fun!!

THE COURSE

The course is tough. No doubt. It contains specific challenges - but these things are relative. Despite some runners returning from recces with reports of experiencing 'unrunnable bushwhacking', 100% of this course is on legitimate trail, some of it is just a bit more challenging that you get on a National Trail.

The course is characterised by a variety of different trail formats.

About a third of the course is wide open groomed trail or dirt road. Descents tend to allow for some very quick running. Ascents on these can be steep but some are runnable.

A Smooth Runnable Trail Descent in Wendover Woods

About a third of the course is on narrower trail/ single or double track which if dry makes for good running downhill, and will yield quickly to a good efficient hiking technique uphill. If muddy and wet some of these sections will become tougher going particularly later in the race with the passing of many feet before. 

An Uphill Section of Trail Towards the End of the WW50 Loop

The final third of the course is a mixture of challenges which are the signature of this course. We wanted to include features that you can reflect on and try to explain to your mates post race about just how epic they are. There are five climbs on the course that in anyones book are very steep and probably unrunnable for all but a few at the sharp end of the race. The bonus is that these steep climbs are short. In reality the longest they will last is just a few minutes each. BE PATIENT, go easy, hike away. The top will come. Some have some small sections of stairs, you may even need to use a few trees as resting posts along the way. That's ok! From the top you get a nice runnable descent on the other side - of every single one. There are two descents which are narrow and rutted and require a steady footing, one down in to a field we have dubbed Power Line and one down a section of what is actually the Ridgeway National Trail which resembles somewhat a ditch and is challenging because it is filled with loose branches and stones. These sections last no more than a couple of minutes.

The Snake - A Steep but Wide Climb in the Second Half of the Loop

A Steep Section of Single Track At The End of the Loop

Gnarking Around - One of the Steepest Sections on the Course. 

COME PREPARED WITH....

You need not fear the race or the route. Rather come armed with:

- Patience. A sensible pacing plan early on will reap huge benefits later as you find yourself trotting past runners who went out too hard, on very straight forward runnable sections. We expect a large number of runners to stop after 3, 2 or even just 1 loop. The excuses will as usual run the full range. Most of those who stop will simply be beaten psychologically. Probably having gone too quickly. Don't come to us and complain that the course was too tough to finish. You have 16 hours to get this done should you require them. That is an average pace of 3.13mph. MUCH OF THE COURSE IS GOOD RUNNING which means that even if you take a large amount of time to make your way up the few very steep (and short) climbs - as long as you keep moving, focus on an even effort and don't waste time in check points, there is an extremely good chance you will finish. 

- A good hiking technique. Practice during training. 9500ft of climb is not excessive in the world of MUT Running. Relatively, UTMB has the equivalent of 16500ft of climbing per 50 miles for example. However it is substantial and requires runners to be efficient in switching between running and hiking. If you want to bring poles, bring poles.

- Condition your quads. Descents, even shallow ones offering relatively good running, turn to painful plods later on if you race the early downhill miles and damage your quads.

- Time Targets. We've set a 16 hour cut off at this race, rather than the usual 13 hours we allow at our other 50 mile events. The reason for this is that the course is tougher than the other three mainly in that it contains more climb and will therefore be slower going. We have a large number of 50 mile Slammers starting this final event and we want to give each of you but especially those runners every opportunity to finish this final race. Not to be beaten by a tight time target. The fact that we have added three hours to the overall cut off should tell you something about how difficult we rate the course vs the other three 50 mile events we stage. Plan for that. If you are coming in to this with a plan to run your 'flat 50 mile time plus 1 hour' we strongly suggest you offer yourself a little more slack in your pacing plan.

- Footwear: The Age Old Question, what shoes should I wear? A decent trail shoe with good grip is advised. If it's very muddy, in some places it won't matter what you've got on because you will be slipping around whatever the case. BUT if you wear something with good grip you stand a much  better chance of making good time and preventing slipping and sliding around on the vast swathes of the course which will be good going no matter what the weather.

Relax, Enjoy, You Got This.

The Autumn 100 with it's series of four out and back legs is a favourite for both runners and volunteers as everybody gets to interact out on course numerous times. It makes for a fascinating race at the sharp end too, because out front each runner gets a chance to see exactly how far ahead or behind of each other they are, at the turn around of each loop.

Traditionally we see some excessively fast splits coming in off of Loop 1, and then a gradual disintegration of the race after that. The course is very runnable throughout and favours those who keep some running in their legs for the second half of the race. This year we have what are set up to be, on paper, close races for both the men and womens fields.

MEN

John Stocker: John leads our Grand Slam standings for this year by some way and if he can run better than a 16:22, will break the overall record for the combined time across the four events. He has also run the 50 Mile Slam and has been steadily improving throughout both. 6th at the TP100, 6th at the SDW100 and 3rd at the NDW100 in August and again at the CW50 last month, could he be set for yet another Top 10/ Podium here, or perhaps go all the way this time....

David Pryce: David has recorded some fine performances over recent years, particularly at the longer stuff and if he can re-create his 2014 Thames Path 100 form could well go all the way here. That year he ran a 16:56 for 2nd behind Ed Catmur but closed out the race brilliantly running very strong over the final quarter - a facet that generally serves runners in good stead on the A100 course. This year he comes in off of the back of a second win at the Chiltern 214km, once again the only finisher of that longer event. He has run two 18 hour 100s already this year with us at both the TP and SDW.

Mark Denby: Mark is an experienced long distance racer with wins at events like T184 and the EveshamUltra in recent years. He comes in to the Autumn 100 following a drop here after just one leg in 2015, a race cut short due to injury. Earlier this summer he led the Lakeland 100 for 40 miles after a blistering start, and although fading through the second half managed to hang on to a top ten spot. Look out for him to be out front from the gun - his modus operandi tends to be go hard and try to hang on!

Andy Jordan: Andy has had a very good 2016 with a win at the GUCR in May and a 2nd place at the Ridgeway Challenge at the end of August. He then raced Tooting Bec 24hr in September and had another good run there with 220km. Andy likes a fast start and the question may be whether he is fresh enough from a busy race schedule to hold it throughout but he will very likely be in the mix from early on. 

Other possible podium contenders include Alex Whearity: has had a couple of good results recently including a win at the T100 in a time of 20:38 and a solid 7:32 for 5th at the Chiltern Wonderland 50 this past month. Jez Isaac: Previous two time top 3 finisher at the NDW100 and an 18:47 for 15th in 2015. Dudley Desborough: Winner Grim Reaper 40 this year as well as 7:33 for 6th at this years CW50. 

WOMEN

Cat Simpson: Cat gets a serious nod after a superb second at this years SDW100. She ran a very well paced and consistent race there, eventually crossing the line in 19:08. Almost all of her other ultras over the past few years have been top 10 finishes, with a number of those wins. She will certainly be a contender here.

Jess Gray: Jess has had some excellent results in recent years with but sprinkled amongst  those a few drops due to injury. She burst on to the centurion race scene with a second place overall at the 2015 NDW50 and started 2016 with a bang by winning the SDW50. She followed with DNFs at the NDW50 and the SDW100 and wisely withdrew from the Chiltern Wonderland to prepare more fully for the Autumn 100. She is still hunting that first 100 mile finish and she will surely be hungry for a good result at the start of this one. It will be exciting to see what she can do on this course. 

Susie Chesher: Susie has a good few years of ultras now and some fine results to show for 2016's campaign with two wins including the Thames Trot in Feb and the Saffron Trail in July, and a fine second to Sam Amend at the Country to Capital back in January - crucially perhaps one place ahead of Jess above. This looks to be her first 100 and it will be fascinating to see what she can deliver here. 

Wendy Shaw: Wendy's long and fine Centurion career continues. If she can finish here she will record her third Centurion Grand Slam and her 16th 100 mile finish. Her best of all time was her 18:54 here last year for 4th, and this time follows a 3rd at the NDW100 in August. 

The inaugural Chiltern Wonderland 50 is our first new event since the launch of the SDW50 in 2013. A field of 200 runners will line up at this third 50 of the year. Held over some truly stunning ground, this challenging course is set up to offer a fascinating race. 

The event also marks a departure from our other courses. All of our other events, with the exception of this and our other new 50 this November to be held in Wendover Woods, are held on National Trails. This race takes runners on the best of the Chilterns. It was great for us as organisers to have a wider brief in terms of course design, adding sections we were most fond of and removing sections we didn't want, keeping the aesthetics of a single 50 mile loop in mind the whole time.

What we've come up with, we hope, will wow runners. Most of the course feels really remote without ever being too far from a great number of big metropolitan areas. It truly is an exceptional corner of the English Countryside.

The field for this one is competitive, especially for a first time event. Without further ado here is a run down of some of the leading guys and girls.

MEN

Neil Kirby: In 2016 Neil has won both the previous 50s, as well as the SDW100 and NDW100 - making it 4 out of 4 in events entered (he didn't race the TP100). If he's recovered well from the NDW 6 weeks ago, clearly he is the man to beat here.

Ian Hammett: Ian ran a close second to Neil at this years SDW100. With a sub 2:40 marathon behind him he has a good deal of raw speed and he is now turning that to ultra distances, enjoying success also this summer at the SVP100km where he walked away with the win.

Jon Ellis: Jon's ability over shorter ultras is well founded. He has a marathon PR similar to Ian's, but over 50 miles probably edges it on experience. Last year he was 3rd in a sub 7 hour time at the SDW50. In 2016 he's finished 2nd at Country To Capital (43 Miles) and 3rd at Race to the Stones and the Northants Ultra (35). He will surely be looking for the win here.

Whilst it looks likely the overall win will be contested by those three runners the field also features a host of podim contendors including: John Stocker (Running both the 50 and 100 mile Grand Slams this year with a most recent 3rd at the NDW100), Warwick Gooch (3rd in the 50 Slam Standings to date and multiple time Top 10 finisher at our events) Nick Greene (Multiple Time Top 10 runner at our events and 4th behind Neil, Warwick and John in the 50 Slam standings) and Luke Ashton (Previous 2nd at TP100 and SDW100 and winner of Viking Way)

LADIES

Edwina Sutton: It's always great to see one of our Centurion Ultra Team Runners toeing the line at one of our events, especially Eddie who is also an integral part of our coaching team. After back to back wins from Eddie's team mate Debbie Martin-Consani at this years SDW100 and NDW100, Eddie has a tough act to follow! But Second is never good enough for our Eddie. She is returning from the birth of her third child and wowed everyone apart from perhaps herself with 2nd at this years ACP British 100km Champs. She still holds the ladies course record for the SDW50 and will surely be looking to own another one here. After her move to the Alps earlier this summer, the hills will perhaps feel a little more manageable....

Melissa Arkinstall: Melissa recently became the 2016 Ridgeway Champion. 3rd at last years Autumn 100 and with a long string of other race finishes, podiums and wins behind her, it will all be about how she has recovered from that fine effort just three weeks ago.

Christine Howard: Christine has gone from strength to strength in recent years, picking up a few wins and podiums at shorter ultras like Downslink and Peddars Way. She will certainly be looking to achieve the same here. 

A really exciting overall race awaits this coming weekend at the 6th North Downs Way 100. Who will make it to become our first ever finisher at the new conclusion of this race at the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford....

Women

Debs Martin-Consani: Undoubtedly the lady to beat. Debs is coming in off the back of a superb run and victory at this years South Downs Way 100. We're proud to have her running in our team colours and it's almost certain that she'll have one eye on the course record coming in to this one. With her past results and if conditions are right on the day it's certainly in danger.

Annabelle Stearns: Annabelle was second at the 2015 SDW100 in a superb time of 19:01. Her advantage here is her familiarity with the trail having won the NDW50 in 2014 and 2nd this year to Holly Rush. 

Wendy Shaw: The lady with the most significant career at our events. Wendy is Grand Slamming again - this will be her third completion of all 4 events within a calendar year. In 2014, Wendy was on track for another great finish at the NDW100, but pulled up at the very last aid station, Dunn Street, with issues she felt she couldn't surmount. One of the bravest and smartest decisions from a runner that we've ever seen. She is fitter and faster than ever and after a slower than usual TP100 this year, she will be looking to make amends and cement yet another podium finish at one of our 100s.

Men

Neil Kirby: Neil has had a sensational year to date. Wins at the SDW50, NDW50 and SDW100 mean that he comes in to this as clear favourite. He has fought some epic battles at the front at all three races this year, but every time hung tough and often suffered through to some superb gutsy wins. Neil races from the start, but always within himself. Having dropped out of this event last year, he will want a fourth trophy for the shelf here but also to make amends for stopping short in 2015.

 

Davide Grazielli: The nicest guy in ultrarunning. Davide has made regular journeys over from his home in Italy to run our events in the past. Most notably perhaps the SDW100 in 2013 when he placed second to Robbie Britton, having had his flights cancelled at the last minute and opting to drive all the way to the UK! He has experience, speed, endurance and a superb string of results behind him, including but not limited to: 3rd place 2015 100 miles Sud De France, 2nd place 2015 NDW50, 4th place Lakeland 100 2014, 25th 2015 UTMB.

Barry Miller: Barry has been getting stronger and stronger over recent years. He's previously finished both the Centurion Grand Slam of 100s as well as the US Grand Slam. Perhaps his best ever 100 was our 2013 Winter 100 where he set a best of 17:14 for 3rd overall. This year he has taken things to the next level with a 2nd at GUCR in a time of 27:22. Put that together with his experience and knowledge of the trail and you are looking at a potential winner here.

Paul Russhard: Paul stunned us all when he went out at this years NDW50 like a bat out of hell. He laid down splits never before seen all the way until Box Hill. We kept expecting him to explode, but it didn't materialise. He did eventually fade to 3rd overall but the gutsy display showed that he has taken his running to the next level. If he goes out in a similar way here it will certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons!

Paul Radford: Paul has had some solid results in his background, a 5th at the Winter 100 in 2014, 2nd at the Ridgeway the same year, 10th at last years Cappadocia 110km Ultra Trail in Turkey and this year a 6th at this years NDW50. He will want to go better here...

Ry Webb: 2nd at this years NDW50 and just 8 minutes behind Neil Kirby, Ry will want to put that result alongside his experience of the trail having finished 4th at this event last year and step up on to his first 100 mile podium. 

Lawrence Eccles: Lawrence has a massive range of results behind him. From Spartathlon to Dragons Back, TDS to Lakeland 100 and the Spine. He's raced all terrains and environments. In 2015 he stepped up in to the bigger leagues with a 7th at Lakeland and the same placing at Dragons Back, with a 56th at Sparta and a 16th at TDS. This year a 22nd at the 80km du Mont Blanc sends him in with great shape. 

Incredibly deep fields in both the mens and womens races make this one of the most exciting prospects we've ever had at a 100 mile event.

Follow the race live from our homepage over the weekend of 11th and 12th June 2016. Race start 0600 Saturday 11th.  

WOMEN

Debbie Martin-Consani: Our team runner is one of the best known names on the UK Ultrarunning scene. Debs has a huge wealth of experience in going long, with too many accolades to mention them all. In recent years she has been a regular fixture in the GB 24hr team, bringing home many medals in the process. Her previous notable wins include Lakeland 100, Crawley 12hr, Thames Path 100, Devil O'The Highlands, White Rose 60 and the GUCR (overall winner). With podiums at countless other presitigious races also behind her, her biggest lesson to all around her is in pacing. Debs consistency over the longer events is incredible. 

Debs on her way to 2nd at the Autumn 100 2014

Jess Gray: Jess has had an up and down start to the year with a win at the SDW50 and then a late DNF at the NDW50 with an injury, so fingers crossed she is fit enough to run well here. She has a great track record so far in a relatively short ultra running career with wins at Ridgeway, Royal Parks 50km, the NDW50 in 2015 amongst them. This will be her first 100. 

Sarah Sawyer: Sarah has come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. With her first foray in to the 100 mile distance at the 2015 TP100, she learned a lot and came back to run a 19:47 at the 2015 A100. With a 5th at the SDW50 earlier this year she will be looking to put pace and her experience together for a super strong day here. 

Wendy Shaw: Wendy features every time on a preview. With over 10 previous Centurion 100 mile podiums, rightly so. She lifted her game to the next level at the 2015 A100 with a 4th in 18:54, the question is this time after a rockier TP100, can she go all the way.

Kit-Yi Greene: 5th at the SDW50 in 2015, 4th this year, this is her first 100 but her consistent pacing could be the key to a superb debut run.

Maree Jesson: Previous 2nd at the NDW50 and with wins at the Druids Ridgeway challenge and Northants 35 in 2015, she is a capable runner, if very new to the sport. 

Maryann Devally: A long list of Top 10 finishes at a variety of ultras, Maryann's previous best at a Centurion Race is her 2nd place at the 2015 NDW100 in a little over 21 hours. She's off to a good start in 2016 with a win at the Oner over 81 miles in early April. 

Nick Taylor: Nicky has a 3rd, a 4th and a 5th at the Lakeland 100 in the past, as well wins at the Rodopi 100 mile and Ultimate Trails 100km in 2013. 

 

MEN

Stellan Fries: There won't be a person amongst last years staff and volunteers that would be sorry to see Stellan win this race. He led the event coming in to Jevington aid station mile 96 before taking a massive detour and spending nearly an hour lost in the woods. When he eventually came over the line it was in 5th in 17:24. He's capable of something under 16 if he can stay on course!

Neil Kirby: Neil has won both of our 50s this year, the SDW50 in 6:35 and the NDW50 in 6:57. His form is great, but with a late DNF at the NDW100 in the past, the question is whether he can bring his 50 mile form up to this distance. If he can perform to the same level he is sure to be challenging for the overall win. 

David Barker: David had a superb 2015, most notably at our events, with a 3rd at the TP100 before a great closing quarter of the Autumn 100 for a 15:58 4th overall. Clearly he is one to watch with a PB in that realm. 

Duncan Oakes: Always smiling, a fact which belies his incredible ability to run strong over the long stuff. Duncan is a previous NDW100 champion and has wins at too many races to mention, but those as extreme as Arc of Attrition (twice) and the Hill Ultra. His 15:19 at the Autumn 100 in 2015 for 3rd was a PB. He should certainly be worrying anybody that is out ahead of him early on. 

Jason Lewis: Jason was 6th here in 2013 with a 17:14, but has since gone on to rack up a really impressive list of finishes and wins, including a sub 24hr LL130 for victory in 2015. This year he's already off to a great start with a joint win with Duncan Oakes at the Arc of Attrition and a Bob Graham Round. 

Paul Bennett: Paul was joint 3rd here in 2013 with a 16:58 and has a number of other SDW100 and UTMB finishes to his name. His pace is exceptional and he will be looking for something at least as strong again here. 

Paul Descending Early in the 2015 Event

Mark Grenyer: 17:11 for 3rd at the TP100 earlier this year, a cracking start to his 2016 campaign. Can he go on to as strong a second 100 in a much deeper field....

Dean Oldfield: Dean was 5th at this years SDW50 and 8th at the NDW50, he's off to a great start this year already and will be looking to continue that. 

Sam Robson: 2nd back at our first SDW100 in 2012, Sam has rediscovered some of his tell tale consistency and will be looking to shoot well under 20 hours again here. 

Jack Blackburn: A real danger man with a number of very good results at shorter distances including most notably a 6:29 for 2nd at the 2015 SDW50. This is his first foray in to 100s but clearly he has the pace to cause an upset. 

Jez Isaac: Jez has twice podiumed at the NDW100 and has a massive back catalogue of finishes in endurance to his name. When he runs strong, he is very strong indeed. 

David Pryce: 2nd at the TP100 in 2015 with a 16:56 David is coming in off of an 18:11 for 7th at this years TP100 and has wins behind him at the Chiltern 220km and the Piece of String Fun Run. Tough is his middle name and he will be looking for a PB here for sure. 

Leonidas Athanasopoulos: Legend of the sport, Leonidas has a back catalogue of results to be proud of. Wins at Rodopi 100 mile, Panellionios 100km, 12hr Bahnlauf and a 25 hour Lakeland 100 included. 

Tim Landon: 3rd at TP100 2014 in 17:48. 12th at the SDW100 the same year in 18:14.

A relatively short preview this time, as the depth in the field looks to point to some very clear front runners. However, as always there are likely to be a lot of dark horses I have missed - capable of sweeping up the pieces if things go awry for the stand out runners.

I've also added a legends section for the first time. I intend to focus on just one stand out person in the field of each event who qualifies for legend status. This time it goes to someone we haven't seen in a while....

MEN

Craig Holgate: It would be unfair on the competition to write everyone else off but with respect to the rest of the field this looks set to be a one man time trial against the course. Craig is still the incumbent TP100 record holder, with a 15:11 in his first ever 100 miler back in 2012. Since then he's gone on to represent Team GB on the trail and at 100km numourous times, clocking an incredible set of performances at that distance, bringing his PB down to 6:53 at the World Champs last year. Craig's list of accolades is simply too long to recount here. But this is not the same runner we saw in 2012. Back then he was still something of a rookie at the ultra game. He now has a great number of ultra distance races under his belt including things like 5 straight Thames Trot victories & 2 NDW50 wins including the course record. Craig is a part of our Ultra Team and has been an inspiration to all of us as he churns out an absolutely incredible level of volume, whilst handling a big commute from Ely to London every day and being a great family man to his wife Abbie and two girls at home. If the course is in good condition I fully expect him to better our all time 100 mile record, Mark Perkins' 14:03 at the SDW100, and truth be told he is capable of running close to or under 13 hours on this course. Which would put him in the GB All Time list at the distance and even higher on trail. Fingers crossed we get to witness something truly special on race day.

Craig on his way to breaking his own Record at the 2015 NDW50

Terrence Zengerink: Terrence has 8 consecutive Comrades finishes to his name, and a handful of 100 milers too. With a PB of 19:36 for 5th at the TP100 in 2013 in atrocious conditions, he should go many hours faster than that this time. Many may remember him too as the man that won the 2013 Piece of String with an epic 130 mile finish never knowing when or where that finish would come. He is one tough cookie.

Ian Thomas: One thing is for sure, Ian will be up the front early on! He has a penchant for going hard early and has had some pretty epic blow ups over the years. However last year he started to dial things in and stormed his way to a 2nd place 24:09 finish at the 130 mile Leeds Liverpool Canal Race, and then a 31:33 at Spartathlon. If he can hold himself back early on we should see a time well under 20 hours on the clock for his finish.

Jeremy Isaac: Jez's experience is deep, and he has learned some hard lessons at this distance, but has recorded some superb finishes over 100 miles, particularly his 3rd place at the NDW100 in 2014 with an 18:01. He also finished 3rd there last year. It would be great to see him run significantly quicker than that here. 

David Pryce: 2nd at the 2014 TP100 in 16:56 and closing hard on a fading Ed Catmur, David has proven pace over this distance that's only surpassed by Craig. If he's in shape, it'll be about picking up the pieces behind and he looks most likely for a podium place either way.

WOMEN

Sam Amend: Much like the men's race, there is one lady with a completely different level of speed to anyone else in the field. However, unlike Craig, Sam doesn't have the depth in ultra running as yet - this will be only her 4th ultra I believe, and her first 100. Her road running background is astounding, with a list of wins as long as your arm. PBs include 2:42 at the marathon (She has run around that time many times over) and a 77 Half, her step up to ultra's came in 2011 with a 3rd overall and 1st lady at the Druids. She then seems to have taken a hiatus before in 2015 she ran a 50, and earlier in 2016 broke the Course Record at Country to Capital despite having spent some time off course. If she can pace it right and find the endurance in the back half, we could see something really special. 

Wendy Shaw: Wendy is a double Centurion Grand Slammer, and has finished all previous editions of the TP100 with 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th places. No doubts here as she has recently found an even greater level of speed, she will finally want to take home the crown at one of our events. This I make it will be her 13th finish at a Centurion 100, with only one drop, at mile 99 of the NDW100. 

LEGEND FOCUS

Rob Treadwell: I haven't seen Rob's name for a long time but was delighted to see it pop up. Back in 2010/ 2011 he took home wins at the Ridgeway Challenge and Cotswold 100. It looks like after a break of 3-4 years he made his way back in to ultras in 2015 and to be honest if he is in his old shape, I should be listing him in the above category and not the legends field!

No time, but no excuses.  Debbie Martin-Consani talks to fellow team runner, Edwina Sutton who won silver at the British 100km Championship – only nine months after having her THIRD child.

Tell us a little bit about your running background? 

I was a jack-of-all trades at school and represented the county at netball, hockey, athletics and cross-country.  The 800m was my speciality, thanks to the geography teacher used to drag me to the track to train. I’m so glad he did, as I have never lost that bit of raw speed.

When I went to university I played hockey for three years and still ran, but just recreationally. Once I left university I realised I wasn’t going to play any better hockey, so started dabbling with triathlon. The dabble turned quite serious and I competed at a high level for a few years. Even from with a running background it was my bike leg that proved to be my strength, with not many women – or men - being able to match my power.  The 25-30hrs a week of training plus a full time job as a PE teacher was a real juggle, but I loved being an inspiration to the kids I taught. Two of them who used to join me on recovery runs are now professional triathletes.

Practising time management from a 16-year old at school has stood me in good stead for having a family and trying to achieve my athletic dreams.

What would you say are your greatest sporting achievements?

Tricky, I think I have lots of ‘moments’ during races when I think ‘yes this is the best moment ever’: Paddling in the Pacific Ocean at the start of the Triathlon World Championships with 2,000 other athletes;  dropping the ‘hammer’ along the canal during Country to Capital 2014 and reeling in all the boys; laughing my head off at Paul Navesey as we shoved cliff shots into our mouth at Downslink Ultra after he went the wrong way (it’s a straight path); and winning the SDW50 after spending the previous three weeks with my foot up. 

DMC – I should also throw in that Eddie was 15^th in her Age Group at the Ironman World Championships 2009 in Hawaii with an impressive time of 10:48.   Her Ironman PB stands at 10:07. 

Eddie Post Race with the Family

You got back into training quite quickly after having Evie in July.  How did you physically cope with that?

Firstly I do not advocate getting back into training straight away after having a baby, but to listen to your body and getting proper advice from a qualified personal trainer.

With my first child I took much longer, but I was much more confident third time round.  I knew what I was doing and how to mend my diastasis recti (split abdominals) and juggle feeding and exercise.  I also committed to weekly osteopath and massage appointments. My body was very much a constant work in progress, but I listened to it very carefully.  I can’t say I rested when I was tired, because I didn’t, but I didn’t push it and did heaps of easy running.

I also worked very hard on my core by myself and also with my osteopath. It wasn’t till the week before the ACP that I had my final appointment and she said my pelvis was level again. She pushed me hard and often 2-3 days after appointments I would feel absolutely battered, this did hamper training, but I have tried to constantly think of the long term project and that this year is really just about getting fit again and hopefully at the pointy end of races.

The first three months were brutal, as I felt so unfit and was carrying about 20kg of baby weight. It was slow progress, but it was always progress. Every session was part of the bigger jigsaw and I tried to not be overly concerned with one session, but take each week as another step forward.

I didn’t bother with dieting as I needed the energy and I knew the weight would have to come off in its own time. 

How did you find training around feeding a baby, running after two exuberant boys (Finlay 5 and Rory 3) and working as a running coach?

There is literally not a moment in the day when I am not doing something. I breastfed the baby for seven months and that was even more a juggle as running had to be fitted in with her feeds, as she wouldn’t take a bottle.

I would have my kit on before she woke up, feed her, throw on back pack and run for three hours till she needed feeding again. Sometimes I would run around the block until she needed feeding again. I found it very tiring feeding a baby and looking after the boys.  Although I am big advocator of breastfeeding and I think you can train and feed a baby at the same time, sometimes something has to give and it’s usually the Mother’s energy levels that are the first to go. 

In the final month of feeding I was definitely starting to feel that I had given all I had to give. When Evie was weaned, the difference in my training and energy was huge. Plus I didn’t need two sports bras anymore, which saved me some washing too.

As for the boys, they are mad.  Being boys, as long as they are fed and are out playing in the fresh air, they are happy.  I am very lucky that they both love being active and also love watching me race.

I absolutely love being a running coach and personal trainer, after spending 12 years as a PE teacher.  I have a real core of fantastic athletes. They are all different, all hard working and I feed off their enthusiasm and dedication. Often this means 2-3 hours of work in the evening after training and putting the kids to bed, but it keeps my brain active.  I get to give back to the running community and seeing and helping others achieve their dreams is just as important to me as achieving my own. 

What did your training week look like?  How did you manage to find the time?

Every week is different. I normally set out with a plan and then mix it around as the day/hour dictates. Being flexible is absolutely key.  Don’t get me wrong I always get all my training done, but sometimes that means two runs a day, going out super early, going out at lunch time, getting someone to watch the baby for 45 minutes and running on the treadmill whilst the kids play around me.  My biggest training saviour is my running pram.

About 25-30 miles of my easy running Monday to Thursday is done pushing the pram. Not very easy, but I just wouldn’t be able to fit it all in otherwise. I have run with all my babies and do enjoy it. Everyone I meet in our village calls me “The crazy lady who runs with the pram”.

I run with boys the mile up to school and nursery every morning and go from there. It’s a set in stone routine,  which means I get my first run of the day done. I have thought this often means my recovery runs aren’t very easy, but I like to think none of my competitors are pushing their babies around whilst they are training. Marginal gains people.

After having Evie, it took a while just to get my weekly mileage back up to a decent level. I managed about 60-65 miles whist I was feeding and held 75 miles for a couple of months before ACP. I also did 3-4 strength sessions a week, which really helped my running form and power without adding in extra mileage.

I was able to introduce one tempo/interval session into this. Sometimes two, plus a long run.  But I found I was still adapting to the mileage and the long run was still causing some muscle damage even as close to four weeks out from the ACP.

In a normal week - and how my training will go into May - will be one rest day a week, two interval sessions (one long rep marathon type effort and one shorter paced effort) a long run of up to 3-4hrs and the rest all easy running. I probably won’t go over 85 miles a week, as I don’t have the time and don’t see the benefit.  It’s all about quality.  

Eddie Mid Race at ACP

You a big advocator of strength training – and planking.  Do you think that helps with endurance running?

Absolutely.  There is no way I could have got through the 100km on my cardiovascular fitness alone. At 50km it came down to strength and form. Holding myself correctly from the tip of my head down to my toes allowed my body to work at its most efficiently.   Plus when the wheels started to come off, I had my strength to fall back on.   I concentrated on holding myself correctly, driving the knees and using my arms to propel forward.  Focussing on this killed time over another three miles.

I am very proud that I got my body back strong, functioning well and injury free. I do mainly body weight movements and exercises, which mean means I can do them around the kids.  Heaps of squat, lunges, holding my body weight in movements and kettle bell work to mix it up.  I think runners who don’t do strength work leave themselves susceptible to injury.

 Your first post-baby A-race was last weekend’s Anglo Celtic Plate.  Was that always the plan?

Yes I looked at the ultra-calendar during labour, counted forward 8-9 months and there it was.  It also helped we knew Perth well, as my in- laws live just up the road. It excited me as a distance and I thought the relentless pace would pay towards my strengths. 

You hadn’t run a qualifying race, so how did you make the team? 

I entered the open race, thinking I wouldn’t get selected.  I almost didn’t want to, as I knew it was a big ask to get fit again in the tight timeframe.  I also knew every week I was making huge gains in fitness and there would be a big difference between my running at end of Jan and end of March.  

However I got an email from the selectors saying they were going to announce the team, which I had been provisionally selected for, but had to prove my fitness in a 50km road race by the end of February.

Of course there aren’t any road races of that distance in the depth of winter so Walter Hill, the England selector, offered to come and watch me run up and down outside my house on a 2.5 mile loop.  I toyed with this, but decided I would regret it if I turned it down so I agreed.

Walter set a target time of 3.50 and I cruised it round in 3.38 and got my selection. In hindsight I ran it too hard. Who wouldn’t?  It was the furthest I had ran in two years and my legs were destroyed for 10 days after. But we live and learn.  It did give me a good confidence boost and was very thankful for the special treatment and my personal makeshift race.

How did the race go?  You were leading for quite some time.

In my head the race was a massive disaster, but in my heart I am so proud with what I achieved. I think I am capable of something with a 7hrs in, but looking back I just didn’t have that back end of endurance training to maintain the pace that I could hold for 5-6hrs.

I made a catalogue of errors, which I’m not ashamed to share with you.  I’m not perfect.  To start with I hadn’t left the baby for the night before and I didn’t sleep a wink the night before worrying about what I was doing.  Could I run 62 miles? Should I be running? Shouldn’t I be at home with my children? What sort of mother was I?

Of course, it was all pre-race massive jitters, but 4am came round with no sleep and I was literally sick to my stomach with fatigue and worry. I managed a few mouthfuls of soaked oats. Normally I eat a massive bowl of porridge, but every mouthful was coming back up.  

Then I got my period. Sorry guys - skip the next few sentences - but it’s a major issue for us ladies.  It was truly awful.  I had cramps, portaloo dramas and my legs just didn’t have any spark. When I knew I was going to get my period on race day I did seriously think about not starting the race.  I always run terrible at this time, but I tried to convince myself it would be ok and I do think I managed it the best I could.

The first four hours of the race went to plan.  I didn’t feel particularly great, but I was trying to just trot along and enjoy the scenery/headwind/seeing Bryn/three step incline and then simply repeat.

After probably 4.5 hours my quads just blew apart. I have felt that pain before in ironman marathons and it didn’t scare me, but I had hoped it would be 6-7hrs into the race when I had to battle down the hatches and work hard, but it was 35 miles or so into the race. The prospect of almost 30 miles of that pain made me want to weep.

Through all my training, I had focused so hard on getting to the start line that I don’t think I had allowed myself to face the truth that I just didn’t quite have the endurance to perform at the level I wanted to.  Having an international vest on was a huge pressure and in hindsight meant the race probably became more important in my head than in the long term it really is. 

I spent the rest of the race thinking about my kids and concentrating on moving, when all I wanted to do was lie down on that sweet soft grass. I went back to basics and repeated left-foot-right-foot and for the last 10 miles, I simply counted to 100.  Literally not thinking about anything but counting to 100.  

Melissa Venables crept up on me and went on to win. I knew she was coming, but I was so scared that my legs would just give in completely, so I just concentrated on getting myself to the end.

I was bitterly disappointed, but I didn’t deserve to win that race. Mel ran the better race.  

Eddie and Mel at the Finish

How did you deal with mental aspect of running 42 loops of a park?

The laps didn’t bother me. I almost enjoyed it.  I totally zoned out of the lap number and concentrated on my splits and pace.   Although in the last couple of hours, I wasn’t really comfortable with everyone seeing me suffering every 12 minutes, but James Elson kept shouting at me, “one lap at a time” and that’s what I did.  I just focussed on one lap at a time.   Though the moment my lap counter shouted: “one lap to go, Edwina”, I could have kissed her. 

It looked like your support (Husband Bryn) was struggling to get you to eat.  Do you think that effected your race?

I wasn’t struggling to, I just wasn’t.  I guess as my race plan went out the window, I lost where I was with my feeding.  Not having a proper breakfast set me into a negative balance to start with and although I tried to shove in more calories at the start, I started feeling hungry within about 30 minutes. 

My stomach cramps meant solid food wasn’t working and really all I wanted was coke. By 50 miles I was literally downing litres of the stuff. Bryn still hasn’t recovered from every lap trying to make me take a gel and me just shouting ‘COKE’ in his face like our 3yr old.  So many errors, but we both learnt a lot from the experience and that is invaluable for going forward. 

And we now have a new term in our household for anyone having a major tantrum.  It’s called a lap 32-er.

Do you have a recovery plan?

With the kids there is no recovery.  It’s brutal, but it’s life. The week after an ultra I massively fail at parenting as I struggle to change nappies, cook meals and household chores take forever. But being busy and active – carrying scooters, pushing swings, lugging about car seats and walking the dog – get the blood flow going.     A lie in past 5.30am would be nice, but I try and focus on the controllable things in my life - lots and lots of good food and water, early to bed, family walks and fresh air.

What’s next for 2016?

The million dollar question.  Obviously when a race doesn’t quite go to plan then you immediately want to set another goal, have another crack at it and get training again, but I am mighty aware of the big picture and know I need a bit of down time. As do the family.

I don’t have any other races entered, but will either head back onto the trails and have a go at getting selected for the GB world trail team or will focus on running a decent 100km. Though I didn’t put the race together I thought I could on Sunday, I definitely enjoyed the distance and think six months down the line I would be in much better shape probably both mentally and physically to put in a decent performance.

Though I am desperately disappointed with the outcome of the race, I am very proud of the process it took to get me there and so grateful to my husband and the Centurion family for all their help. I’ll take a deep breath, let the race and all I have learned from the experienced sink in and go from there. 

Would you like to have another go at 100km?

Watch this space.

What are your top three would-love-to-do races for the future?

UTMB, Comrades and Western States 

Well, here we are. The 2016 season is here! And to kick it all off we have our biggest starting field to date with an expected 400 runners converging on Worthing College this coming Saturday 9th April ready to run the 50 miles to Eastbourne. 

For many, this will be their first foray in to ultrarunning. But there are an equal number of highly experienced guys and girls too. With a team of over 100 volunteers out on course getting them there when times get rough.

As is tradition with our events, I've put together a quick snap shot of those who will be looking to push the front end of the field. Please do comment if something is incorrect or somebody is missing. We'd love to know!

WOMEN 

We're really excited to welcome a deep women's field to this event. 

Jess Gray: Jess burst on to the Centurion scene when she took home 2nd overall/ 1st lady at the 2015 NDW50. Jess has racked up a fine string of results since starting in 2014 with wins at Royal Parks 50km, the Chiltern 50km from XNRG and last year the Ridgeway 86 in a superb 14:17 good for second overall. She will have her sights on a solid performance here ahead of the SDW100 in June. A third at the season opener Country to Capital will have no doubt fired her up even more for this one. 

Amelia Watts: Amelia placed a superb 5th at the 2013 Marathon Des Sables and later that year went on to record wins at UTSW60 and Dusk Til Dawn 50. In 2015 she finished 4th at Race to the Stones and finished UTMB in a time of 33:28 good enough for 18th overall.  

Claire Shelley: Our 2012 SDW100 champion, Claire recently lowered her marathon PB to 3:04 with a stellar run at Seville in February. Claire's experience is huge, with a string of ultra finishes behind her and wins at races as prestigious as GUCR and the Oner. One thing is for sure, she will run her own race. 

Linn Erixon Sahlstrom: Linn has some strong finishes behind her over recent years, culminating in a couple of wins in 2015, at the Imber Ultra and at Endurancelife CTS Sussex. She's run under 8 hours for 50 before and will no doubt be looking to do the same again.

Susie Casebourne: Susie is a veteran of many Centurion events and over the years has clocked up wins at Caesars Camp 50 and has two previous SDW50's to her name including a 2nd in 2013.

MEN

The men's field looks wide open with no clear superfast runners as we've had in the past (Mark Perkins, Paul Navesey, Victor Mound are the previous winners). Certainly it makes for a very interesting race and possibly one that will come down to the wire. No doubt there are a couple of speedsters lurking that I've missed however....

Nick Greene: Nick has started 2016 well with a sub 6 at Country to Capital and a win at the Peddars Way 47 miler two weeks later. Nick has been a feature at Centurion events on both sides of the fence for many years. He has 3 SDW100 finishes including a 17:57 for 10th in 2014. In 2015 he went better at the TP100 and came in 2nd with a time of 16:52. Along with super finishes at classics like Leadville, Highland Fling and the Ridgeway, Nick also has a best at the SDW50 of 7:03 and will certainly be looking to run under 7 this time out. 

Ollie Sinclair: Ollie has a deep ultra background, with a career in Ironman before that. He has been a feature on the UK scene for a number of years and in his time has won and held records at some classic races such as Hardmoors 55 and Caesars Camp 50. He'll be looking for a strong outing here after a solid 2015 including a hard earned slog of a finish at the NDW100. He knows how to tough it out!

Warwick Gooch: Warwick has featured in previews a few times and rightly so. His experience over recent years has racked up, with a Centurion Grand Slam in 2014 in a stellar time including 2 Top 10s. With a GUCR finish and a solid Autumn 100 in 2015 he'll be looking to get 2016 off to a flier.

Wyclef Forbes: Wyclef ran home for 2nd at the 2014 Race to the Stones in 9:06, and has second places to his name at Marlborough Downland and Endurancelife CTS Anglesey.

 

Fresh from winning last weekend’s Anglo Celtic Plate 100km in 6:58, we talk to team runner Paul Navesey about his successful debut at the distance. (Pictures: Debs Martin-Consani & Steve Navesey)

Tell us a little bit about your running background?  How did it all start?

It seemed like a very simple way to get a bit fitter, plus my pacing was so terrible I didn't have to run far to feel I'd worked pretty hard!  After running around by myself for a bit I joined Crawley AC who have an incredible ultrarunning history. I learned a bit more about training properly, pacing (although I was still a bit sh*t at it!) and different races.

Now I train with an excellent group of Sussex athletes, the training is hard but great fun and very productive! I have read quite a bit on running from the 70s/80s and this is getting towards what I imagine they were doing when they ran the outstanding times that are often not matched today.

You’re a fan of cross-country running.  Do you think that helps with ultra-running?

I'm not sure its conventional prep for 100km on the road but I do love XC racing. In the build up to ACP I ran pretty much a full XC season. Racing all the county league races, Sussex County Champs, Southern England Champs and finally the CAU Inter Counties as part of the Sussex team 2 weeks before ACP. The races are short, fast and very competitive. 

(Paul brings home the individual and team wins for England)

When you are so successful at traditional road race distances, why did you want to run 100K?

I had some spare gels that needed using up and I can only put so many on my porridge...

It was just a different type of race and having followed previous ACP and World Champs races online it started to intrigue me. I had only run ultra-distance races a couple of times on the road before at Dartmoor Discovery and thoroughly enjoyed those races. It’s also nice and simple, no pack to carry etc. It just combined what I enjoy about running which is putting on a vest, a pair of short shorts and going racing.

You hadn't run a qualifying race/time for Team England, so the selectors maybe took a bit of a gamble of you.  Did that make you want to prove yourself more? 

True! I'd not run a qualifying time at any of the required distances (50k, 40 miles or 100k). In fact, I didn't even have a recent marathon time to quote. I had entered the open race anyway so I was always going to be running the event. 

I am not sure if they would consider it a gamble but providing them with 10k and XC results maybe didn't make me the first choice... So I was quite keen not to screw it up!

What races did you do in the build up to the Anglo Celtic Plate?

I actually raced quite a lot more than I have done prior to previous ultra races. Plenty of XC races but I also raced Chichester 10k, Brighton Half Marathon and Milton Keynes 20 miles.

(Paul is a bit humble here, so I thought I’d add he ran 32:00 for the 10K, 1:08 for the half and won the MK20 in 1:52:13.  Fast, eh?) 

What did you training week look like?  Any favourite sessions?

Favourite sessions have to be joining the training group for long reps at Tilgate Park. Really hard work at times but lots of fun!

A typical week in build up to ACP would have been something like :

Mon - Long reps
Tue - Easy running.
Wed - Long run or track session
Thu - Easy running
Fri - Rest
Sat - XC race or long tempo run
Sun - Easy running or road race (If not racing today then no Sat race or session).

You led from the start.  Was that your plan?

I had a good idea of how fast I could run the 100k. I just wanted to get right down to it from the start, it wasn't planned it just happened that no one else joined me. It could well have backfired.  I feel I may have over-reached slightly in the first half, but I was confident in my preparation and it was a bit late to go changing the plan by then!

(Paul led the race from the gun)

Who was your main competition? 

When the teams were announced I was very keen to see who my team mates were. First up Anthony Clarke from the infamous group at Bournemouth AC and their Steve Way Wednesday night marathon sessions.  Chris Singleton, also very quick over the marathon and ultra-trail races. Nathan Montague, the only member of the men’s team to have run the 100k distance on road before. So even without venturing to the other national teams there was plenty of competition! Scotland for example had Marco Consani and Wales had Daniel Weston. Both having previously run 100k at the ACP in solid times.

Luckily.... we have Strava! It was great to see how the other guys were preparing and great to see the England team looking strong in the build-up. I got to meet Chris at the Inter County XC champs as he'd earned his Lancs vest for the event. Nice to know I wasn't the only one trying to run a hilly XC race in the build up to a flat road 100k.

How did you deal with the mental battle of running 42 laps?

I was never worried about the number of laps, I spent a fair amount of time running with CR team mate Robbie Britton over the last year or two and he's got a pretty positive way of looking at lapped races... and he's had to run a lot more than 42 laps.

I was never going to get lost (Once other team mate Eddie told me the direction I was meant to be running) and never more than a few minutes from crew with food, drink and any information I wanted.

Any highs and lows?

Actually no major lows. I was warned about the final 30k and sure enough, going in to that my legs really started to complain. That was the only low as I saw my lap times drop off from where I wanted to keep them. Something that although I was told about, was a bit unfamiliar to me, I know I can work on that now.

On the flip side, loads of highs. From cheers every lap, the announcements in the final few laps, starting the last lap and obviously the finish.

Having seen the rest of the team on the course at points it was great to see them all finish so strongly. I am a big fan of team events.

Did you have a specific nutritional plan?

I had a very simple nutrition plan. As much as I like food and eating I just opted for a Mule Gel every 3rd lap, an S-cap on each hour and coke to finish!

 

(Paul heading out through the start finish area)

Was your support crew an important part of your race success?

Yes, without a doubt. They were incredible. From passing gels and water, giving me information, guarding portaloos to taking photos. Can't thank them enough. 

(Paul with his family and crew at the finish) 

What’s next for you?

I am going to be spending my summer racing track and shorter road races. I'd love a GB vest and another crack at the 100k, so I will also be very interested once there is more information on the World 100k event.

Assuming you have another crack at 100km, what do you think you could do to improve your already fantastic time?

I will have another crack at it. I have a couple of ideas, first of all is improving speed, improving my marathon pace and then increasing the volume of my long runs slightly. I don't want to make drastic changes so will use a very similar training process as I did but better.

(Paul Navesey with Edwina Sutton pre-race. Eddie captured 2nd in the ladies race).

What’s your favourite running gear?

A pair of arm warmers! It’s a good day when you can dig out a vest and arm warmers for a run or race. Easy way to control temperature and a very handy place to stuff some food!

Thanks, Paul.  Very insightful.  So all you need is arm warmers, a few gels and a portaloo guard…?  Oh and some kick ass speed.

Follow Paul on twitter @paulnavesey or find him on Strava.  Be warned though…his training speed might make you cry.