Sand dunes, saltmines, streams… we must all be mad

Farnham Runners spent a Friday afternoon in October travelling to Swansea in torrential rain and traffic in equal measures. The saving grace upon arrival was an Italian dinner that Clair Bailey had organised!

The Gower races started from three different locations, depending on the distance being run. No one from Farnham Runners was mad enough to consider the 50 mile route this year. Four members (Justin, Chris, Ivan and Louise) opted for the 34-mile option which started from a ruinous castle in Llandimore.

Immediately after setting off the runners were faced with nearly 4 miles of saltmarshes and styles to navigate.
Remarks about starting an ultra with a cross country race came in thick and fast, like the muddy puddles and streams. We gained a reprieve from the mud, when we headed into the sand dunes and running the stunning 3-mile long stretch across Rhossili Bay Beach. The wind was strong, but luckily not quite a headwind.

From there it was predominantly around the peninsula following the coastal footpath.

Once those miles were over, the group climbed the coastal footpath up the cliff and carried on to the first check-point, where the other group of Farnham Runners, who were doing the 23 mile route, had started from.

The checkpoints were stocked with sweet and savoury snacks including orange segments, which were delicious. At the second checkpoint in a village hall, hot dogs were on offer. Along the way there were also clip points, where runners had to clip their maps to prove they had been to the location. One of the clip points had been moved, or stolen, so a lot of time was lost looking for it.

There were some steep sections where climbing was necessary – some were sandy and some were stony. They absorbed the last ounces of energy able to be summoned. In between cliffs, technical sections wound up and down through woods adjacent to the coast. The leaves and roots were slippery, as were the steps.

The 34-mile group wove through runners to meet with the 23-milers along the course.

The last checkpoint was ‘4 miles’ from the end, but some runners who had done the course said it was more like 8 miles. Towards the end seeing familiar, friendly faces on the trail was a real treat.

Before starting, we questioned whether a first aid kit and headlight were really necessary parts of the compulsory kit, but many needed to use plasters and antiseptic wipes and as we all neared the end it was heading towards dusk.

As we ran back to the bigger towns we started to feel excited for the end, after 7 hours of running and eating, we were about done. As we rounded another headland, we hoped to see no one running around the next one, but we did. So onward we ran, following the line of weary and spritely runners.

By this point there was a small contingent of Farnham Runners running together, I speak for myself when I say that the others’ energy and enthusiasm for the race picked me up when I needed it most!

Results

Ultra Bach

29, Louise Granell (4th Lady overall – 3rd Open), 7:38:59
30, Justin Clarke (5th V50), 7:39:01
31, Chris Raby, (6th V50), 7:39:03
44, Ivan Chunnett (28th Male), 7:57:32

Trail Race

81, Linda Tyler (6th V50), 6:08:55
82, Sue Taylor (7th V50), 6:08:57
83, Bridget Naylor (8th V50), 6:08:58
84, Kate Townsend (9th V50), 6:12:26
85, Clair Bailey, (21st Female), 6:14:16
86, Steve Bailey (48th Male), 6:14:19