JW Ultra 30 Mile Trail Race

by Karen Galpin

Inspired by Nick Lewis’ achievements last year, I fancied another ultra but didn’t relish attempting the mind-numbing Gloucester 50K 4 lapper in January’s freezing cold and rain. I happened to mention the JW in the pub after a Wednesday night run and was surprised when Ali Shaikh casually said “I’ll do it with you”.

And so the pattern was set – Wednesday nights were spent plodding up Cleeve Hill (even before the run) to the blare of other Almosts’ car horns and Sunday mornings trundling around the surrounding villages in various loops to make up the required 20 and 24 mile runs. Many thanks to Anne-Marie, John B, John G and Dave E for keeping cheerful banter up on the way round.

Nerves crept in the day before the race – worries about lack of stamina after a recent sickness bug (I never want to see a Thai green curry again) and the forecast of a warm day didn’t help. Race day dawned and we arrived an hour early at the start (how unusual for me – NOT) to meet up with Duncan Mounsor, Ken Sears and John Bailey who were to run the relay and with Chairman Graham who proudly unveiled the new Almosts flag. Tim, Clive, Corry and Sarah were in ‘the train café’, looking decidedly uncertain about the impending doom, I mean race.

Once the race was underway, nerves calmed and everybody got into their pace. The relay runners shot off like hares and the rest of us made our way to the canal towpath via a series of steps and kissing gates, Stratford park and then Stratford town centre complete with shoppers and buggies – that was interesting. Once on the towpath it was a case of mind over matter and count down the miles. I lost count of the number of locks, tunnels and bridges we went through – it all became a bit of a blur after about 20 miles!

The challenging terrain of the first 10 miles took its toll and Ali adjusted his pace to run the middle section with Nicki Perrott and then the last 10 miles with Dave Davey. Thankfully, Dave had perfected his motivational psychology techniques in advance and managed to bolster Ali with promises of finishing in time to see the second half of the footy which then became the beginning of the X Factor. I believe home-made flapjack was also obtained en route to boost sugar levels.

As for me, I enjoyed most of it, but not taking wrong turns at 3 different points where there was little or no signage or marshalls! Many thanks to the Cambridge runner who caught up with me and pointed me in the right direction. Also thanks to my brother John who, having only signed up to do the middle leg of the relay, ended up doing 20 miles (after falling over twice) as nobody could get to the 25 mile point to pick him up! But he did receive a nice red buff and a key ring for his efforts – oh, and a packet of Walkers crisps.

Would I do it again? Yes, and I think a few others who experienced the relay would too. Next time around I will know where to go!