Hi
Last weekend Roger , Zara and I headed for our first "ultra" type race - the Jurassic Challenge. It's basically a chance to run, walk or crawl the coastal path in a West East direction from Charmouth to Studland. A total of three marathons in three days. You can do it all or just do the separate days. Roger and I ended up doing the first two days, which was the mileage equivalent of 2 marathons and a 10K!
Anyway early Friday morning we headed to Weymouth where the HQ was for the event which included safe, free parking. The event was run by Votwo events - who also do the Kamikaze some of you may know run in this area at Mapperton. I must say it was really excellently marshalled and organised. They even let Zara come along! There was one other dog but he only managed one stage per day.
Really nothing can prepare you for an event of this kind. I had balked at the idea of crawling the route, but if we had done day 3 I'm sure that is what we would have been doing!!
On that Friday morning we registered got our chip time pointer (something you had to produce at every check point) and had our kit checked. An important part was a kit list which included things like a compass, maps, a whistle, various extra bits of clothing and so on. Thus basically we were to run with a back pack, the whole route. They really took this v seriously and we had a kit check every morning. It was also easy to see our event runners in the distance - if they had a back pack they were on our route and we were going the right way! I would recommend a back pack that is compact and doesn't move as you move - mine wasn't that type and it was annoying!
Thus it was registration, kit check and Route discussion, and then we were taken to the buses to be taken to the start. There were 3 start times all to do with whether you were walking – first start, faster walkers and joggers – second start and “real” runners – third start. We went group 1 each day so as to be sure to make the cut offs.
Day 1 Route –Charmouth back to the start at Weymouth Sailing Academy. Well this was perhaps the best bit as we practically knew the route. However it also did encompass some mighty hills eg East Cliff out of West Bay and of course Golden Cap. There were very comprehensive stops ever 10K or so. Sandwiches, cakes, crisps all good. Don’t ask about the toilet situation – but we managed! We stopped at West Bay, Abbotsbury and Langton Herring. The day was lovely. The weather was perfect for running, dull but not raining. Total 43.6 K We left Misterton at 6am and were home at 630pm.
Day 2 Route –Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy HQ to Lulworth Cove via the whole of Portland! First stop for me was the Blister Clinic!! They were very nice and sorted my poor feet out. Today I wore my good old trainers and fared much better. After missing the orientation due to blisters we headed off. Portland was dull and grey, unfortunately not very pretty however the first checkpoint was at the very bottom at Pulpit Rock Car Park so we had to go! It was hard to start going that day. We had gone in group 1 and so had many of the people we had met the previous day. I think the Portland bit was so depressing it was just good to get that over with. Then it was back to the next checkpoint –at the start. I had already said to Roger let’s not be tempted to get in the car!! Then it was all round Weymouth (this was nice – coffee shops were v tempting!) but we tarried on and on. It seemed to take us ages just to get out of Weymouth. From running through the town to running on the beach. We saw people setting up for the Weymouth Half which was the next day and they were very encouraging. Eventually we headed towards the next stop at Osmington Mills – it was there that was the nicest marshall – he was at the last stop the previous day and I think that’s on purpose to keep people going!! There was also the nicest pub near the stop! Another temptation. Fuelled with tuna mayo sarnies and coffee we headed off for what he said was the last 10 K – but what a last 10K it was!! It seemed like hill after hill after hill. But don’t get me wrong – the scenery was fabulous and the people were great and friendly. The people we met – one lady was with her daughters – we met her at Durdle Door – she does a marathon at least every week! But even she said this was one of the hardest! Finally we made it to Lulworth Cove and the finish and some lovely soup and the bus to take us back to the start. PHEW. Total 43.2K Left Misterton at 6am home at 7pm.
Day 3 Lulworth Cove to Studland Bay a total of 43.7K – maybe next year ….
