After a break over the summer due to illness I ran the White Rose Ultra 60 as a tester to see what sort of condition I was in. Having not run since the Evesham Ultra in April I wasn't sure if my body could take a battering for 60 miles over the Yorkshire hills, but I had about 6 weeks good training behind me without illness so I thought, why not?
The white rose ultra is organised by TeamOA and headquarters for the race is located in the village of Marsden, just off the Pennine Way. After a sleepless night in a local hotel (thanks to a rowdy party next door) I made my way to the headquarters at the local cricket club and was warmly greeted by the organisers and around 250 other competitors of which around 85 of us were down to do the 60 mile race. After a short safety and info talk we were on our way to the hoots and hollers of the supporters and staff.
The white rose ultra is run over a 30 mile course which means two laps for the 60 mile runners. The race takes in some beautiful countryside including reservoirs, trails, wildlife hotspots, villages and plenty of hills. However if you are expecting an out and out trail race then let me warn you that this race has a lot of tarmac and track. Even so, don't let this stop you entering as the views and local villages keep this race interesting at all times and it is well worth a run. The race itself has checkpoints about every 6 miles and all are very well stocked with food (sweet and savoury) and drink, price wise it is very good and you can even do next years new 100 mile version for just over £50 which is very good for a 100 mile race.
I wont bore you with the mile by mile account of my race but the first 30 mile loop went well for me and I ran at what I knew was a sustainable pace and although I had know idea what position I was in, (mainly due to the 30 mile runners being mixed in with the 60 mile runners) I finished the first lap in around 4 hours and 45 minutes. Knowing that I had another 30 miles to go I did think that maybe I was in the top ten or even higher. The climb up from Marsden along the Pennine way and past the reservoirs was slightly more taxing on the legs than the first time but they were still pretty strong and I managed to find myself in fifth place and just behind third and fourth place.
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For the next 5 miles or so I ran closely behind or with third and fourth and enjoyed the chat with the enthusiastic aid staff at the checkpoints. There was around 15 mile to go when I had the feeling that the other two runners were feeling a little more fatigued than I was so I opted to take less time at the checkpoints and to try and keep running as strong as possible. It wasn't too long until I left them behind and caught up with second place who seemed to be struggling slightly up the ascent, so I chatted for a short while then carried on regardless. It was getting harder now and with about ten miles to go at the next checkpoint the aid staff volunteer asked me if I wanted to know how far off first place was. I replied OK and was told that "STEVE AUSTIN" was over an hour ahead. I laughed and knew it was impossible to catch him up but also knew it would be a hard battle to keep 2nd place. On a few stretches where I could see up to a mile back I could make out two figures but they never seemed to be closing the gap but weren't tiring either so I gritted my teeth for the last 5 miles and as darkness ascended I put my head torch on and as I reached the brow of the final hill I was greeted to the lights of Marsden and the Cricket Club floodlights. I ran down the final descent towards the finish shouting and singing with happiness and after 10 hours and 7 minutes I had completed the White Rose Ultra 60 and was greeted by my brother James who had come to support me and first place finisher Patrik Verme who was from the Swiss Alps and finished the course in an amazing 8 hours and 33 minutes and was even in front of the 30 mile winner when he started his second lap. Third place was Kirk Hardwick who I had chatted with, along with Kelvin Dixon who was fourth just behind.
All in all it was very good day for me and I am looking forward to next years races already. I am hoping for a return visit to the 106 mile Ultra Trail of Mont Blanc as well as a trip to Tenerife in October for the Tenerife Bluetrail a 100km race which includes a near summit climb to 3500 meter high Volcano Mount Tiede. I'm also looking forward to a return to the Evesham (Cotswolds) Ultra as well as some newer projects I have planned. Once again Thanks to all who support me and as ever big LOVE to my wife Rachel and daughter Ellie my number one fans. x x x
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