The Path Less Travelled.....

"The media storm in a teacup" - podcast

Part 2 of Bob Cartwrights outdoorstation.co.uk podcast "The media storm in a teacup" in to the cause and effect of the 2008 OMM mountain marathon is available now
type outdoorstation in to the drop down menu within podcasts on itunes

QOTD

The consciousness of self is the greatest hinderance to the proper execution of all physical activity - Bruce Lee

Andy Parkin - UTMB art

and whilst i am on a roll with climbers and art (see previous entry), i found Andy Parkin's website c/o his film at Kendal Film Festival. Little did i know that he had done both paintings and sculptures for the UTMB race

i wonder if the print has been reproduced for general sale ??? (as i have considerably more chance of getting one of them than getting the trophy for the UTMB !!!)

 

UTMB 2007 - Andy Parkin

   

Trophy, The North Face Chamonix UltraTrail, 2008.

Blue Hippo Media made a film about his life which won the Special Jury Prize at Kendal.
A trailer can be founde here

TRA - Thames Ring 260 mile race

The longest non-stop event EVER staged in the UK

The First TRA

260 mile Thames Ring Race

Britain’s Ultimate Challenge -

10 Consecutive Marathons!

Wednesday 24th June 2009

Starting at 10am

from the

Morrell Rooms, Streatley, Berkshire RG8 9HT

Race Permit Applied for

Entry Forms from:- dickjan@talk21.com or16 Burrell Rd.Compton Berks. RG20 6NS

The First TRA

Thames Ring 260 mile Race

Date:-               Wednesday June 24^th 2009.

Venue:-            The Morrell Rooms, Church Lane, Streatley, Berks.  RG8 9HT

OS Grid Ref. SU 594 808.

Distance:-         Approximately 260 miles.

Course:-           Anti-clockwise triangular course on the Thames Path and the Grand Union Canal & Oxford Canal towpaths.

Terrain:-           Mainly rural footpath (which can be fairly muddy) and cycleway, with some short, road/pavement stretches in urban areas.

Navigation:-     Course is on way-marked national trails.  A route description and section maps will be available.

Start time:-       10:00 hours, Wednesday 24^th June.

Time limit:-      100 hours, to finish by 14:00 on Sunday 28^th June.

Awards:-          There are trophies for 1^st overall (both sexes) and a memento for all finishers.

Fees:-               £127 in advance of 31/05/2009. (£2 reduction for affiliated club members).

At the discretion of the Organisers, £25 may be refunded after the race for each full 24 hours of help provided by any marshal introduced by the runner.  The maximum refund per runner shall be £75.

Drinks:-            10 checkpoints, all with water, squash, hot drinks, meals and snacks.  Runners are required to be self sufficient for distances of approximately 26 miles between checkpoints.

Facilities:-              Changing rooms and toilets at start and finish.   Hot meal (vegetarian option) for all entrants post-race and at tented sleeping accommodation which will be provided at checkpoints beyond 78 miles.

Admits:-                Pedestrians aged 18 or above only.  Limit 100.             Right of entry reserved.

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Further information may be obtained by e-mail from Anthony Taylor a.j.taylor@talktalk.net
 Dick Kearn dickjan@talk21.com or from the Trail Running Association website: www.tra-uk.org

Alternatively you may phone Anthony on 07748 888321; Dick on 01635 578536 (evenings)

Ultra-endurance running: research

Ultra-endurance running: An analysis of current trends in preparation and training for competition by Paul Murgatroyd

Runfurther ultra running championships 2009

the 2009 Runfurther ultra-running championship dates can be found here

all of the races are events in their own right, so feel free to pick and mix 

first race 1 Mar 09

Hardmoors 110 Ultramarathon - 2009

a quote from a big bloke with tattoos

"Hardmoors110 will run 25-27 September 2009, with some improvements, entries will open in January cheers Guys - the improvements -  "Thanks for your comments!!
Scarborough cp will be changed (for the much better)
some more signing going on. A much better race HQ at the start, open much longer, some press interest going on, so locals will have a clue whats happening 'R u owt for a gentle jog dear to Sutton Bank and back' ' Yes kind of, just not coming back and doing another 100 miles after that' Some big Marshall 's present in Scarborough along the seafront, to give runners a bit of security/confidence while passing the pissheads. An inside checkpoint at Kildale or close by, better signing in Guisborough woods, plus plenty of smaller things ie Race Marshall bibs, Race Tshirts etc"

for the uninitiated, the route follows the Cleveland Way National Trail from Helmsley to Filey. the first half is across the North Yorkshire Moors, the second half is south down the cliffs of the NE Coast

do not underestimate it. it is a complete and utter bastard of a run (albeit in some of England's finest scenery). 

there are particularly good post race narratives here and here and here

as previously blogged, the race was organised by good friends of mine, and most of the runners were friends or acquaintances. i rolled my ankle in the early hours of the Saturday morning in the 08 race, and then watched as the swelling grew and my hopes of continuing were ended.

to quote Sylvester Stallone "I'll be back"

Jon Steele, you're a good man, and i wish you every success with the second running of one of Europes finest races. Folk will donate organs in years to come to get in this.

it ain't so grim up North after all

   

the start line of the inaugural Hardmoors 110 Ultramarathon - 2008
small but perfectly formed (not you Jon !!)

 

Roseberry Topping

 

Staithes village

   

Whitby Abbey

 

a helping hand

just select from the list and forward to Santa's Blackberry
just over 4 weeks left

for climbers

for "normal" runners 

for long / ultra runners and expedition runners

for quirky gifts 

for unicyclists 

for bookworms 

for thedailymash 

for charity

for air  

for snowmen (and snow-women) 

for expeditions

for chickens (or rabbits) 

for afterwards

for a change

for malt

for perfection 

for memories   

and lastly, but by no means least ....

for heroes  

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Gofar goes further

the long and ultra distance routes and information website gofar has been updated with some new challenges. 

a Thursday sing along

c/o of   Howies