Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Im Taking on my biggest run yet

Conquest of Avalon is the Albion event that has been on the least number of times – the first edition was in 2017 as opposed to 2015 for Ham & Lyme and 2016 for Westcountry Ultra/Mendip Marauder. However, it has become a popular finale to the Albion season and has attracted runners from as far afield as Belgium, Germany and even Canada! This is mostly due to the Arthurian legend that surrounds the finish location. Avalon is famous for this, as well as the annual music festival: from one of the paths along the way you can see bits of the festival site down in the valley.

Conquest is a relatively fast race compared to most of our others. The only sub 4 hour times at any of our races to date were here – Alex Bennett, Jack Greenwood and Matt Powell are the three to achieve that feat so far. Jamie Stephenson ran the fastest time for the 50 to date in 2019 but a few runners have come fairly close, including most recent winner Lewis Downton, who defended his 2023 title in 2024.

The 50 mile route starts at Ham Hill Country Park, heading downhill through the woods before a winding lane takes you to the first green tunnel of the race across towards Ilchester; a town steeped in Roman history. From here you follow the roads round past the famous Fleet Air Arm museum and then nearly all the way to Castle Cary you alternate between charming countryside and quiet villages with fascinating place names. West Camel, Wales (yes, really!), Queen Camel, Sutton Montis, South Cadbury, North Cadbury… let’s just say these names are all very fitting for a race with such a quirky town as its finish location.

Out of North Cadbury the route takes a few twists and turns through quaint rural scenes before the first significant climb of the race up to the hillside above Castle Cary, where the 30 mile route begins. You descend into the town, spectacular views of which can be obtained from the hills above, before heading upwards again to the second aid station (first is at West Camel.) From here there’s another green tunnel before you emerge onto a sweeping hillside above an enchanting orchard, which you will descend into. From here there are winding lanes, expansive fields, stunning panoramic views from the top of one or two hills you will climb (look out for Red Kites and Ravens in the skies or Red-legged Partridges in the hills above Lamyatt) and some stunning churches – those at Ditcheat and Redlynch are especially pretty.

The final miles between East Pennard and Glastonbury feature the aforementioned view of the Glastonbury Festival site, another charming orchard where deer sightings are frequent and building excitement as Glastonbury Tor looms larger into view each time you see it. A long climb up Wick Lane takes you so close to the Tor it feels within reach, but there’s a little bit further to go up yet. Once you get there the summit is likely to be a hive of activity – there could be drumming, singing, dancing, chanting… pretty much anything is possible! You are also likely to get applause. From here it’s a long descent into the town, where you may spot a wizard or druid on your way through, then to the finish. The medal is larger than for any of our other races to emphasise the nod to the Tor on a sparkly purple background. In 2022 the final 50 mile runner was treated to a firework display from a nearby Van Morrison concert… it’s unlikely the timing will ever be so perfect again, but you will get a warm welcome and can reminisce on a great day out!