The day before London marathon was a sultry 27 degrees and in deepest Surrey the start of the 61km fox ultra, a large loop taking in the Fox way which crosses the north Downs way, the Hogs Back and what can only be described as lumpy terrain. After the midweek flour trail realising that even though it was hot, trails would still be soggy in parts from all that rain so road shoes were a no-no.
With 5 unequally spaces water stations and not a great deal of shade, it was hard going after about 9 am. That said 200 runners started and most finished through the glorious Surrey villages of Wonersh, Shere, Worplesdon and on up to Woking, then down through Guildford. Light of training since moving to TW 5 months ago, I was hoping to sub-6 but the heat and wanting to enjoy the route as a ‘training’ run as a birthday treat I crossed the line in 46th, 6hrs 55,49 seconds behind winner Charlie Butcher in a insane 4hrs 44. My first race as a harrier having joined the club a couple of months ago.
Rob Jones