Story
I did it!
This race was without doubt the most painful, but most rewarding race I have ever taken part in. I missed my original 24 hour target but given my shaky training, knee problems during the race and extreme weather conditions in the latter stages of the race, I was delighted to simply be amongst the finishers.
In the end I crossed the line after 27 hours and 19 minutes, a time good enough for 35th position out of 88 starters. The warmth and extreme humidity at the start and the torrential rain (and hail at the top of the Devil's Staircase) towards the end whittled the field down to just 48 runners who made it all the way to the finish. For only the second time in the race's 21 history, the organisers had to stop the race early because of the extreme conditions.
At many points I was roundly cursing myself for soliciting for sponsorship for this event. Had I not done so, I think I too might have been amongst the DNFs (did not finish). Without your support, I'm not sure I would have completed this challenge.
In the end though, I did finish this race and I am absolutely delighted to have done so at the first attempt. Many better runners than me either finished behind me or not at all. I've raised £1200 pounds for the Alzheimer's Society in a relatively short time and I'm immensely grateful to you all. My full report is now available here. http://www.zen31010.zen.co.uk/whw2005report.htm Thank you all once again.
This race was without doubt the most painful, but most rewarding race I have ever taken part in. I missed my original 24 hour target but given my shaky training, knee problems during the race and extreme weather conditions in the latter stages of the race, I was delighted to simply be amongst the finishers.
In the end I crossed the line after 27 hours and 19 minutes, a time good enough for 35th position out of 88 starters. The warmth and extreme humidity at the start and the torrential rain (and hail at the top of the Devil's Staircase) towards the end whittled the field down to just 48 runners who made it all the way to the finish. For only the second time in the race's 21 history, the organisers had to stop the race early because of the extreme conditions.
At many points I was roundly cursing myself for soliciting for sponsorship for this event. Had I not done so, I think I too might have been amongst the DNFs (did not finish). Without your support, I'm not sure I would have completed this challenge.
In the end though, I did finish this race and I am absolutely delighted to have done so at the first attempt. Many better runners than me either finished behind me or not at all. I've raised £1200 pounds for the Alzheimer's Society in a relatively short time and I'm immensely grateful to you all. My full report is now available here. http://www.zen31010.zen.co.uk/whw2005report.htm Thank you all once again.