Last updated: 12-Oct-17
By Luke Jarmey
We’re pleased to announce our top reviews for September. So congratulations to Seth Grotzke (@scquest). Who will receive a pack of 33Shake Chia Energy Gels.
Superior 100 Mile Trail Race – USA
A really fantastic, incredibly detailed and humorous review of the Superior 100 Mile Trail Race from Seth. This almost reads as a Q&A with his therapist and is certainly one of the more unique race reviews we’ve received here at RunUltra.
‘Ran in 2015. I figure enough time has elapsed to add a review. My therapist says we have worked through enough of the suppressed memories from the race that I can begin to open up…a little.’
‘What do you get if you finish? I received a metal belt buckle, a customized sweatshirt, a finishers medal, and as many blisters as I could handle.’
The Urban Legend Ultra – England, UK
Well with a name like that, we were certainly interested in finding out more about the Urban Legend Ultra race in Simon Bourke’s (@Simon_Bourke) review.
‘This race is a little different to a number of other trail races as more than half of the race takes place in a city. However, the ingenuity of this course is that for only a few miles are you running in city centre streets.’
We particularly liked his paragraph explaining a route finding mishap:
‘But for every yin there is a yang. So just one mile after the last checkpoint I lost the plot.’
‘A little bumble bee impression ensued, where I ran around in circles for a few minutes before realising I really should retrace my steps…’
Grand Raid Des Pyrénées – France
We love reading a review that draws our attention to a simply scrumptious-sounding race, that wasn’t previously really on our radar. Well this review of the Grand Raid Des Pyrénées by Alexandra Cook (@Diet360_), certainly fits the bill.
‘This is relatively unknown event to British runners but it is one you should put on your bucket list.’
‘The atmosphere was amazing. When we got to the summit of the climb there were even groups of hardened supporters who had found their way to the top to cheer us on and support.’
Causeway Coast Ultra Marathon – Northern Ireland, UK
This is Richard Duffy’s (@richardpduffy) second review of the Causeway Coast and it’s great to read that this year he was successful, after a DNF from a gashed finger at the 2016 edition.
‘It’s a top event. There is nothing else to it.’
‘Every runner of every ability should be allowed to run that absolutely stunning course that the guys at 26 Extreme have harnessed.’
Thames Path Challenge – England, UK
It’s always great to hear when runners have directly made use of the race reviews on RunUltra. After reading the previous Thames Path Challenge reviews, Guy Emmerson was convinced to run the 50km race over the 100km.
‘Overall, I was really impressed with the organisation of the race. The scenery is amazing as you run along the Thames and obviously the course is very flat.’
He also manged a very impressive finish…
‘Considering this was my first one, I was pleased to come 2nd but I am really glad I didn’t enter the 100km, I would definitely need more experience before moving to that distance’.
10 Peaks Brecon Beacons – Wales, UK
A nice concise, but still informative review of the 10 Peaks Brecon Beacons, from David Wood.
‘This was my second attempt at the Brecon Beacons Long Course after a technical DNF in 2014. It is a great event with excellent support from start to finish.’
‘I just wish there were showers at race HQ but I’m a softy southerner and it all adds to the experience.’
Ultra Tour Monte Rosa – Switzerland
Fancy taking on something like the UTMB, but unsure about getting a place? The Ultra Tour Monte Rosa could be a fantastic alternative…
Interested? Well give Alan Wood’s hugely detailed stage-by-stage account a read. Some real quotable gold in there!
‘When the top finally arrived I celebrated by taking a ceremonial piss near the summit – a good indicator of my state of mind at this point!’
Chiltern Wonderland 50 – England, UK
A great review of the Chiltern Wonderland 50 from Sarah Cooke (@SarahCrunning).
‘I am always impressed by the fact that every single one of the Centurion races I have run has started precisely on time.’
After extolling the virtues of the Centurion organisation, Sarah jumps into a description of the race itself and offers some advice on what level of runner this ultra would suit.
‘This was an ideal course for me – hilly, muddy and with beautiful woodland.’
GUTS Ultra – England, UK
Ben Whitfield offers an informative and overall positive assessment of the GUTS Ultra.
‘The route markings were ok. I felt in sections they could have done with a few more as they could be quite spaced out and also turns could have been marked better.’
Aside from a slight hiccup with the route marker placement, Ben would highly recommend this race, especially to new ultra runners.
‘Overall I would recommend this race especially as a first ultra. The volunteers were fantastic and the race was really well organised.’
Finally, we have another GUTS Ultra review, this time from Robin Sanderson (@FeetInTheCrowds). Echoing Ben’s assessment of the organisation, he also provides a short description of the route and recommends this as a good race for newbies.
‘I have done a couple of other trail races and a sportive organised by AAT Events and they have always been effectively organised with a friendly atmosphere – this was no exception.’
‘The route was an interesting way to escape from London…’
