Leaving just after midnight, once I found the actual start point, things went ok overnight. My uncle was riding his bike from the start, carrying water and snacks for me to take off him at various points. In the dark even he found navigation hard through Cannock Chase but luckily maps on my phone saved the day when in a forest with no clear route. After Lichfield my first diversion due to HS2, the new high speed rail line, added more stiles to climb. Fine at the time but by the end I just wished there wasn't so much climbing! Morning arrived as I started to get near my parent's farm in Warwickshire. A small diversion at Shustoke reservoir was luckily well signposted and didn't add too much distance. My first long stop was at the bottom of a field near my parents, coffee, porridge and a short stop was all very welcome. Hot toast and tea at Meriden was even better but that was to be the end of home 'cooked' food, after that my parents drove a car with water and snacks to meet me at villages along the way. A second diversion due to HS2 was unwelcome, adding mileage and miles on the road that was hard in trail shoes. At 50 miles I finally had a fellow runner, Tara Lambert, who was able to help navigate some of the trickier sections. Even better was the mango ice cream from her friends ice cream shop in Henley-on-thames. After Henley I was joined for short sections through to the end by Dan Kanaris. The motivation to have someone encourage for a bit, mixed in with sections I could get my head down on my own was a great help. Sushi at Bidford on Avon, a hot dog from the best country pub in England and finally a mix of bananas, water and watermelon got me through to the end just as the sun was setting.
Athletes
Route variation
Standard point-to-point
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Supported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
19h
47m
45s
Verification
GPS track(s)
Report