I decided to take on the North Downs Loop in preparation for a bigger race in August.
After running the full southern route in 2024 and knowing the North Downs really well, this loop was perfect 👌
With my husband and little girl crewing me, I set off at 6am from Wye Church following the current FKT holders gpx.
It was super tough, I had regular checkpoints enabling me to keep on top of nutrition and hydration, weather was a mix of rain and wind but stayed generally cool which was ideal 😃
The first 15 miles was nice and flowing and then some hills started and by the time I hit the loop sign in Dover the hills were coming thick and fast and it got really tough. The route was very overgrown in places but whats a few stings for an FKT 🤣 oh and there was a fair few cows too!!!
Few tummy issues around 25 miles but nothing pizza and fizzy water couldnt sort and before I knew it i was back plodding along and then all of a sudden the village hall was back in sight and it was all over 😀
I ran this alone with no support/pacing runners, but was fully supported by my crew who were just amazing pushing and encouraging me along the route 😀 so a massive thank you to my husband and little girl for keeping me going 😀