Over the
weekend of the 5th / 6th February over 150
runners and walkers took on Extreme Energy’s (www.xnrg.co.uk)
Pilgrim Challenge. Starting in Farnham, Surrey this gruelling 2
day Ultra follows the North Downs way covering 33 miles to
Merstham, Surrey and then back again on the Sunday. Over the 2
days have to climb Boxhill and Reigate hill twice and the route
takes them through a height gained of 6700ft.
It is leg,
strength, energy and motivationally very sapping. However over 120
determined runners completed the event.
Many of the
runners could be seen running with large packs and sleeping mats.
This wasn’t because the Extreme Energy team were trying to make it
harder, it was because 40 – 50 of the runners were using it as a
training run for the Marathon Des Sables in April 2011
As with all
Extreme Energy events there are 3 starts, walkers, runners and
elite runners. All were set off from Sandy Farm Business park in
Farnham on Saturday morning. The weather was ideal for running, a
bit overcast, no rain, and a good wind behind. This meant that for
all walkers and runners the going was good.
This probably
accounted for the excellent times by some of the front runners.
The fastest male on day 1 was Mark Collinson in a time of 4:49:55
and the fastest lady Karin Voller in a time of 5:28:00 (which was
a remarkable time because Karin was running with a large back pack
!).
Throughout the
afternoon runners were streaming into St Nicholas School in
Merstham where the first nights overnight stay was set up. The
finishing spread over the afternoon and evening with the last
runner finishing (in the dark) around 19:00, about 11 hours after
they started. A truly inspirational effort.
The finishers
were welcomed with coffee / tea / cakes etc. After a shower and
setting up there bed space in the school halls they relaxed and
got themselves prepared for the next day.
In the evening
a fantastic meal was laid on by the school chef, and then the
competitors were treated to a talk by the unbelievable,
inspirational Marvellous Mimi Anderson. Mimi talked through some
of her outstanding Ultra running achievements which made the tired
competitors feel all the better for what they had to do again in
the morning! We heard one competitor say having listen to Mimi
talk about her John O’Groats to Lands End run – “after listening
to Mimi it makes tomorrow’s 33 miles look like a simple task!”.
Next morning
the competitors woke up early ready for another day of tough
running. The weather had changed slightly as the temperature had
dropped, although the wind remained strong, on the way back it was
in their face.
The first start
set off as it got light around 0700, with the elite’s setting off
at 0900.
Once again the
running and competition was top draw. Into the wind on day 2 Chris
Townsin ran a very impressive time of 04:46:10, although this was
not quite enough to over turn Mark Collinson’s lead. Mark put in
another very steady performance of 04:59 and won the overall men's
category. Karin Voller, put in a very consistent performance
(carrying her pack again) of 05:31 making her the overall winner
of the women's category.
At the finish
the competitors were again greeted with cheers / medals / T shirts
and hugs on their outstanding achievement.
The competitors
kept on coming in through out the afternoon and evening with the
tail end completing the last 8 miles in the dark, which was really
tough, and truly inspirational. The last competitors finished in
over 12 hours after starting – remarkable resilience.
The consistent
comments that come through about the whole ultra running community
is how friendly and supportive everyone is, fast or slow, walker
or runner, and the amazing feeling of comraderie through out the
weekend.
Here is what
some of the competitors said about the race:
"Wanted to drop you a line to say thank you for the great race
over the weekend. It was such a great run, wonderfully organised
and, of course, a genuine challenge"
"Big thanks to you and the team for organising another superb
event"
"As always the checkpoints are the best I have ever come across"
"Many thanks for a great event and I'll definitely be back again
next year"
"Thank-you so much for arranging yet another great weekend! You
and the team are so good at it"
"The organisation is spot on and the people that help out
(including
yourself) are always so friendly
and encouraging it makes what could be a horrendous two days and
absolute pleasure to take part in. I can't imagine a better
training event for MDS"
The next Extreme Energy event is the
“Pony Express” which is a 2 day ultra around the New Forest
covering 30 miles each day over the weekend of the 30th
April and 1st May. To find out more please go to
www.xnrg.co.uk
Best Wishes
Neil, XNRG
