This was the 2nd time of asking. I tried in November 2024. The conditions underfoot are challenging enough in the dry, and November got the better of my body, having to call it a day at 110 miles. On that occasion I also opted for support runners with extended distances between checkpoints.
This time, We changed the script on how to get round by splitting the session into 4 distinct legs, with planned sleep on the trail head on each night. Running solo with checkpoints brought in closer proximity so I could travel light. I averaged 16hrs+ per day to cover the ground.
Day 1 I began at 05:25 at Hardys Cottage. The plan was to get to Badbury Rings where Helen, my better half would take over night routine, sleep in the back of the car and kick me out for the next mornings effort. The weather was dry, very warm in the afternoon. The priority, early on, was cooling the skin, managing early niggles and settling in. The Strava links are attached to see the progress of each day. Crew day 1 was Dave Wilcox and Paulo. I was joined by Shelley (unplanned) for approx 8 miles through Wareham which was a pleasant break up of the solo miles.
Day 2 - Helen cracked the morning routine and I was off by 05:35. A bit later than planned. The North East, North ,North West of the hardy way is the crux as far as underfoot, navigation and patience is required and challenged. I was crewed first by Will, then handed onto Bri and Si. Heading North to Shaftesbury, todays heat was moving 28+ degrees and minimal wind. I covered just shy of 50 miles. Helen meeting with the car and sorting the evening recovery routine once more. I was thoroughly enjoying the route and glad to have placed several recces on this part of the course. HW signs only face in one direction, and the cur throughs from field to field were grown over in many places, obscurring the small way marks. Confidence in following the GPX and local knowledge was key to navigation.
Throughout the whole session I must have added 4-5 miles of diversions, overshoots, zig zags through fields to find the way.
There was one major disruption to the route on day 2 at Larmer Tree House, they had closed the loop around the grounds - see pic. I went back and picked up before heading back to Tollard Royal. Probably shortened at this section by 600-800m.
Day 3 I moved from Kingston to Abbotsbury, a distance of 47.6 miles. Again , the heat was immense, and the first 10 miles slow going. Once I was on the coast path I was in familiar territory, and had to cross the infamous 1 mile stretch of pebble beach near West Bexington. This took my left shin strain to another level and something I had to manage throughout the final day. This day was crewed by Helen and Phil. Helen , one more time, setting up the camp routine and we were tucked up by 10:30 with ambition to be on the road by 04:30
Final day, miles to go 52ish... across to Portland, Weymouth and the meandering 20 miles to get to the finish at Stinsford. The burial ground of Thomas Hardy, only 1.5 miles from where we started, Lower Bockhampton, which was his birthplace.
Attrition was evident, yet Helen patched me up well with kinesio and with paulos support crewing, we ticked off the legs. i was joined by Daz and Si - unplanned - Daz stayed for the whole of Portland. Grateful for the company here as I thought we would never get off the rock!
I finished at 9:41pm. 88 hours, 16 mins. Official distance 220 miles. With diversions et al, a total of 225 miles taken.
One and done.
As an ambassador of getting local people to run local trails it seemed a fitting project for me to get over 200 miles and without doubt, Dorset did not disappoint with many a highlight. This was on the bucket list during Covid, A time when many started to hunt out what's on the doorstep. Thanks to Jon Regler for submitting the route to FKT and if he reads this I anticipate he will kick ass when he tries to get round in his unsupported style. Our GPX is fractionally different after researching the path, looking over OS maps and completing the first half in Nov 24.
I will attach a link to a detailed blog on this adventure in the coming weeks.
You can view video/pics on instagram madmulefit
Thanks to Helen. We had a lot of fun getting this OKT. Never a chance without her unconditional support. x
Thanks to Will, David, Paulo, Si, Bri, Shelley, Daz, Phil
Dorset is a spectacular county, full of vibrant people, colorful villages and radiant lands.
Thomas Hardy may have written a little on the darker side, however, wondering around this county for best part of 4 days makes me think the brightness of Dorset enabled him to express the ideas that gathered in his mind.
My mantra for the whole session - 'Be Present' - and it is with that I was able to absorb the beauty of my route and cope with everything it threw at me to complete it.
Best wishes.
Rich OConnor