Thames Ultra 50 run, 7 February 2009

3 Harriers took part in the Thames Ultra 50m race at the weekend. Yes! that's 50miles of running. We are crazy & mad people!! Heather K, Phil Sparks and me.

It was hard going, but we finished it in true Harriers style.

We started in Oxford from the Prince of Wales Pub at 9am. Backpacks filled with food & water. Sky telly was there, mad enough to film us. The run was nearly all off road, following the Thames. With the recent weather the route was mostly snow and ice. A few hills, some locks and a nice sunny day. The last few hours were all run in the dark with head torches avoiding the mushy mud.

The final results:

Heather had an really amazing race, she finished 3rd lady with trophy in a time of 9hrs 33min. Well done Heather!! Hats off to you. You star!!

Me & Phil joined up and ran most of the race together. At half way we still had another marathon to go. After a few slow points & a wrong turn of about a mile we picked up and gained a few places. Passing a few more runners over the last couple of miles. We were amazed when we got to the finish and were told we had come in joint 12th & 13th place. We had finished in 9hrs 13min. Cheers Phil for the company, there were a few tough moments there!!

So if any Harriers are looking for something more than a marathon....
A lovely run along the Thames from Oxford to Henley I would recommend it, if your mad enough!!.
It was a great experience. Anyone interested in the Commrades Marathon Next year?

Cheers
Paolo