The “Toad Challenge” Thames Path Ultra Event Report
September 2nd– 4th 2011

Event Report by Extreme Energy
 

At 9.30 am on the 2^nd September as registration for the race opened, a warm, humid, sun drenched environment greeted each and every competitor. With the weathermen forecasting the hottest day of the year, the onus was on re-hydration. As runners gradually arrived and set about going through their pre run rituals, the XNRG team set about their business of making sure everything was in place for ‘The Toad Challenge’.

The competitors were set off in two stages this year, with the walkers & slow runners setting off at 11.00 am and main runners setting off 12.00 noon. The start of the race soon set the scene for what would follow the next 3 days; a short sharp turn to the left and what awaited was the beautiful tranquil setting of the Thames River. The run quickly moved out of Oxford and into the rural countryside of Oxfordshire, stunning footpaths and sun-kist scenery. There really was no avoiding the sun on a day like today and the checkpoints provided the much needed fluids to keep the competitors moving along.

With the route along the Thames nice and flat, it made for some very fast finishing times and as the runners made it close to the end of the 27 miles for day 1, the sun finally gave in to the rolling clouds and the final few competitors were greeted with a well welcomed shower of light rain. The overnight accommodation at Moulsford Prep School was the very impressive looking out over the Thames, providing the runners with a beautiful finish in the town of Henley.

As the competitors finished they were greeted by the XNRG team, providing tea, coffee and much beloved cakes to replenish those all important calories burnt up. The XNRG team made sure everyone had fuelled up and were all comfortable ready to get some well deserved sleep for what Day 2 had to offer.

The runners awoke at 6am to a rather chilly morning which required a nice warm cup of tea to get the body and mind moving again. After the dinner, provided the night before and excellent breakfast selection the runners were more than fuelled up and ready and raring to go.

The weather soon picked up and although it was overcast the rain managed to hold off. Day 2 saw the XNRG runners complete close to 32 miles in all, with numerous crossings along the Thames and small picturesque docks paving the way. As well as the only hill along the entire route, which sure asked for maximum effort and focus whilst climbing it.

The final stretch of Day 2 saw each runner finish off in Marlow, a beautiful town situated on the banks of the river Thames, and spend the night in the school hall of the Sir William Borlase Grammar School. Once again the accommodation was brilliant and the runners were greeted by the XNRG Team with the tea, coffee and cakes in tow. After a few energetic competitors ventured into the nearby town centre, it was soon time for everyone to refuel on food and get set up ready to rest.

Day 3 soon arrived and each runner was now purely focussed on the last 31 miles of the race, a brilliant stretch from Marlow to Walton. Although the runners were ominous, the weather did not follow the same pattern and there were warnings of downpours early afternoon. So with everyone fully equipped with waterproof in hand the two sets of runners began their final stint to glory.

The terrain on day 3 was a lot more urbanised, with the Thames path straying away from the river and leading the runners through small towns to take in the best of what they had to offer. The weather held off for the first half of the race and then all of a sudden as predicted the heavens opened and the rain began to play its part in the 90 mile race. The rain may have dampened the competitors clothes however it did not dampen their spirits, and everyone left in the race embraced the wet weather and finished strongly.

On arrival to the finish line, the runners were met by the XNRG team providing them with their fully deserved medal and t-shirt to take home. As well as a place to rest and recuperate with tea, coffee and cake, whilst watching their fellow competitors come in and congratulate each other.

There were some amazing performances throughout the entire field, with some unbelievable times that really did break the records of ‘The Toad Challenge’. The overall winner for the three days was Ian Berry, who managed to ‘smash’ the previous record and set a new time of ’12:30.29’ for the 3days of running. Ian was shortly followed by another superb performance by Kate Mercer who finished in a very respectable time of ’14:07.49’ which in previous years would have not only won the race but would have broken the course record by over an hour.

A special mention goes out to our youngest ever competitor in ‘The Toad Challenge’, Alexander Miller Tate who finished in an excellent time of ’23:43:04), congratulations, aswell as the oldest competitor Pip Lloyd who at the tender age of 62 finished the whole 3 days.

‘The Toad Challenge’ 2011 really did deliver and everyone involved had a brilliant time, from the XNRG runners to the XNRG team, everyone came together to add to the success of the event.

Thank you all to everyone who was involved and we look forward to seeing you next year!

The XNRG Team