Life is an ultramarathon

On BBC technology this time, recorded at the Science Museum. Painful to listen...

Ultra embarrassing accent.

... on the New Scientist website ! Follow the link at the middle of the article to see me running on a treadmill. You may not want to, though.

Ultra famous ... or not !

I've compiled a list of UK ultramarathons, ordered by distance. There may be innacuracies, mistakes and races missing. Please let me know if you spot any of them.

---

26.2+ to 30.0 miles

3 Forts Marathon http://www.threefortsmarathon.org.uk Distance: 27.0 miles (43.5km) Ascent: 3,450 ft Time limit: 6h Best time: 03:07:03 Usual date: May

Downland Ultra Challenge http://www.haywardsheathharriers.co.uk/nonMembers/... Distance: 30.0 miles (48.3km) Usual date: July

The JW Ultra http://www.ultrarunner.co.uk/index.php?option=com_... Distance: 30.0 miles (48.3km) Usual date: September

---

30.0+ to 40.0 miles

Wuthering Hike - Haworth Hobble http://www.kcac.co.uk/?page_id=199 Distance: 31.0 miles (49.9km) Ascent: 4,400 ft Best time: 03:43:24 Usual date: March

Fife AC 50K http://bcruickshank.brinkster.net/page6.htm Distance: 31.06855961 miles (50.0km) Best time: 03:02:27 ? Usual date: May exceptionnally in September this year

Boddington 50K http://www.glosaaa.org.uk/images/Bodd_50k_2007_EF.... Distance: 31.06855961 miles (50.0km) Usual date: August

Manx Mountain Marathon http://www.manxfellrunners.co.uk/manxmntnmarathon/... Distance: 31.5 miles (50.7km) Ascent: 8,000 ft Best time: 04:22:45 Usual date: April

Dartmoor Discovery http://www.hmca.org.uk/marathon/ Distance: 32.0 miles (51.5km) Usual date: June

Marlborough Downs Challenge http://www.marlboroughrunningclub.co.uk/downchalle... Distance: 33.0 miles (53.1km) Best time: 4:06:28 Usual date: May

Osmotherley Phoenix http://www.runfurther.com/index.php?option=com_con... Distance: 33.0 miles (53.1km) Ascent: 4,000 ft Usual date: July

Calderdale Hike http://www.sowerby-bridge.org.uk/scouts/chike/inde... Distance: 34.0 miles (54.7km) Usual date: April

Draycote Water 35 http://www.krrac.info/DW_Info.asp Distance: 35.0 miles (56.3km) Best time: 03:42:22 Usual date: February

Barry 40 mile track race http://www.lescroupiersrunningclub.org.uk/barry40/ Distance: 40.0 miles (64.4km) Time limit: 6h Best time: 04:08:16 Usual date: March

High Peak 40 http://www.highpeak40.co.uk Distance: 40.0 miles (64.4km) Best time: 05.31.08 ? Usual date: September

High Peak Marathon http://www.highpeakclub.union.shef.ac.uk/hpm/ Distance: 40.0 miles (64.4km) Best time: 09:21:56 ? Usual date: March

Tring 2 Town http://www.ambitionevents.com/tring2town/ Distance: 40.0 miles (64.4km) Best time: 05:19:00 Usual date: February

Compton Downland Challenge 40 miles (Full Fat Forty) http://comptonharriers.cjb.net Distance: 40.0 miles (64.4km) Ascent: 3,900 feet Usual date: March Not this year

---

40.0+ to 50.0 miles

Lyke Wake http://www.lykewakewalk.co.uk/ Distance: 42.0 miles (67.6km) Usual date: July

Across Wales 42 miles http://www.newtown-rotary.org.uk Distance: 42.0 miles (67.6km) Usual date: June not to be confused with the "Across Wales Walk"

Devil O' The Highlands http://devilothehighlandsfootrace.co.uk/ Distance: 43.0 miles (69.2km) Time limit: 12h Usual date: August

Rhayader Mountain Trail http://www.runfurther.com/index.php?option=com_con... Distance: 43.0 miles (69.2km) Usual date: August

Across Wales Walk http://www.whereitsat.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/AWW/Ind... Distance: 45.0 miles (72.4km) Time limit: 18h Best time: 08:08:00 Usual date: September not to be confused with the "Across Wales 42 miles"

The Four Inns Walk http://www.dynarx.demon.co.uk/fourinns/index.html Distance: 45.0 miles (72.4km) Best time: 07:19:00 Usual date: April

Afoot in Two Dales http://www.ldwa.org.uk/news/news_story.php?menu=Y&... Distance: 50.0 miles (80.5km) Ascent: 5,800 ft Usual date: July

John Lucas Memorial Run http://www.strathavenstriders.co.uk/ Distance: 50.0 miles (80.5km) Usual date: August

The Longmynd Hike http://www.longmyndhike.org.uk Distance: 50.0 miles (80.5km) Ascent: 8,000 ft Time limit: 24h Best time: 08:03:00 Usual date: October

Rowbotham’s Round Rotherham http://www.hmarston.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rhac/trai... Distance: 50.0 miles (80.5km) Best time: 06:17:50 Usual date: December

The Thames Path Ultra http://www.ambitionevents.com/thamespathultra Distance: 50.0 miles (80.5km) Time limit: 16h ? Best time: 06:18:30 Usual date: January

---

50.0+ to 60.0 miles

Durham Dales Challenge http://www.walknortheast.org.uk/ddc2007.html Distance: 52.0 miles (83.7km) Best time: 10:57:00 Usual date: June also a 28 miles

50 Mile Challenge http://www.50milechallenge.co.uk/2.html Distance: 52.4 miles (84.3km) Time limit: 15h Usual date: July

The Night Day Marathon http://www.ambitionevents.com/nightday Distance: 52.4 miles (84.3km) Time limit: 24h Usual date: July Also in August

The Original Mountain Marathon (was "Karrimor Mountain Marathon") http://www.theomm.com Distance: 52.4 miles (84.3km) Ascent: 3,000m multiday - 2 days Usual date: August

Highland Fling http://www.highlandflingrun.co.uk/ Distance: 53.0 miles (85.3km) Time limit: 15h Best time: 07:26:15 Usual date: May

Thames Meander http://www.thamesmeander.com Distance: 54.0 miles (86.9km) Time limit: 18h30 Best time: 07:55:00 Usual date: February

London to Brighton http://www.roadrunnersclub.org.uk/?q=londontobrigh... Distance: 55.0 miles (88.5km) Usual date: October defunct

Bullock Smithy Hike http://www.bullocksmithy.com/ Distance: 56.0 miles (90.1km) Best time: 08:55:00 Usual date: September

Fellsman http://www.fellsman.org.uk Distance: 60.0 miles (96.6km) Ascent: 11,000 ft Best time: 10:15:00 Usual date: May

---

60.0+ to 100.0 miles

Surrey Summits Marshal's Walk http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/RegChapma... Distance: 62.0 miles (99.8km) Usual date: April

Self Transcendence 100k http://www.srichinmoyraces.org/uk/ultras/selftrans... Distance: 62.137119224 miles (100.0km) Best time: 07:04:46 ? Usual date: May

Gloucester 100k http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp... Distance: 62.137119224 miles (100.0km) Not sure it's still being held

Bob Graham Round http://www.bobgrahamround.co.uk Distance: 74.0 miles (119.1km) Ascent: 28,500 ft Best time: 13:53:00 can be attempted ay time ?

Ridgeway Challenge http://www.tra-uk.org/ridgeway_challenge.php Distance: 85.0 miles (136.8km) Ascent: 9,000 ft Best time: 15:18:00 Usual date: August

West Highland Way Race http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org Distance: 95.0 miles (152.9km) Ascent: 14,760 ft Time limit: 35h Best time: 15:44:50 Usual date: June

Pennine Relentless Challenge http://www.ambitionevents.com/penninechallenge/ Distance: 100.0 miles (160.9km) Ascent: 10,000m Best time: 27:07:00 Usual date: June

Northumberland 100 http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp... Distance: 100.0 miles (160.9km) Usual date: May Not sure it's still held

Lakeland 100 (Ultra Tour of the Lake District) http://www.lakeland100.com Distance: 100.0 miles (160.9km) Ascent: 6,300m Time limit: 40h Usual date: August first edition in 2008 - also a 50 miles

---

100.0+ to 300.0 miles

Marathon of Britain Coast http://www.ambitionevents.com/mobcoast/ Distance: 103.0 miles (165.8km) Ascent: 10,000m Usual date: July

Hardmoors 110 http://www.hardmoors110.co.uk Distance: 110.0 miles (177.0km) Ascent: 6,000 m Time limit: 36h Usual date: September first edition in 2008

British Ultra http://www.britishultra.com/ Distance: 119.8 miles (192.8km) multiday Best time: 31:57:37 Usual date: May 6 days

Grand Union Canal Race http://www.gucr.co.uk Distance: 145.0 miles (233.4km) Time limit: 45h Best time: 27:35:00 Usual date: May

Marathon of Britain http://www.ambitionevents.com/mob/ Distance: 175.0 miles (281.6km) Usual date: September

Seni Extreme 200 http://www.ambitionevents.com/seniextreme Distance: 200.0 miles (321.9km) Usual date: May

Green Belt Relay http://www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk/ Distance: 220.0 miles (354.1km) Best time: 21:10:15 Usual date: May relay

---

Time races

St Catherines 6/12 hour Race (Crawley) Time limit: 6/12h Usual date: March

Hull 24 hour http://www.webnet.karoo.net/24hr/24hrpage.htm Time limit: 24h Best distance: 141 miles Usual date: July

Self Transcendence 24 hour http://www.srichinmoyraces.org/uk/ultras/24hr06/ Time limit: 24h Best distance: 143 miles Usual date: October

Last update: Thu Jul 10 17:32:44 2008
56 ultras

Related links:

• http://multidays.com/html/calendar/uk_calender.htm
• http://www.runfurther.com/content/view/52/72/
• http://ultrarunningworld.co.uk/?page_id=7

Ultramarathon list.

I've been thinking for a while about a system to broadcast the runners GPS positions live during a race. Nowadays, things are getting more and more simple for three main reasons: the integration of GPS in mobile phones or the easy connection via BlueTooth, the possibility to program mobile/satellite phones, and the simplicity to broadcast positions over the internet via tools such as GoogleEarth. There is no need for a PDA to link the GPS receiver and the mobile phone anymore.
On races such as the UTMB (r), mobile phones will be out of coverage. Therefore satellite phones seem to be the key. Most of them include a GPS as well (*), and embed a decent operating system. I was thinking to buy a cheap second hand satellite phone for that purpose, but they don't seem so cheap Even more expensive on ebay than through regular retailers... The other issue is to write the application that will get the GPS position every 15 minutes and send it though the satellite link via SMS or HTTP, the latter being easier if available. In order to use all the specific functionalities of the phone, a SDK is probably necessary. I've not found any for Thuraya phones for example.

Can anyone help me with one of these two points: where to find a cheap satellite phone and how to develop on it ?

Ultra tracking.

(*) this is not as obvious as it may seem, as satellite phones and GPS devices use different kinds of satellites and technologies.

UTMB 2005
My first ever ultratrail, the UTMB 2005.

UTMB 2006
My UTMB in 2006, DNF because of a tendinitis.

UTMB 2007
My last UTMB in 2007.

Can novice ultratrailers run the Ultra-Trail Tour du Mont-Blanc ?
Why do I think that some novice ultrarunners can complete the UTMB.

What entry system for the UTMB ?
Comparison of several entry systems for the UTMB, following the increasingly fast registration.

Tough Guy 2008
My participation at Tough Guy 2008, a wet assault course in winter.

Ironman France 2008
My first triathtlon, the Nice Ironman 2008.

London - Guildford: the Mommas' Pilgrimage
My run from London to Guildford along the Thames and the Wey.

London to Brighton (running version)
My solo and unsupported run from London to Brighton.

Tour du Parc National de la Vanoise
Hike in the Alps, on the GR5 and GR55, an extension to the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise.

Strenuous winter hiking in North Wales
Surprised by a snow storm in North wales as I was hiking alone.

I've installed a statistics tool on my blog engine about 2 months ago. That's great, I know many things about you my dear reader !

You are 75% to use Windows XP (GNU/Linux: 7% - OSX: 2%) whereas 58% use Internet Explorer against 37% for Firefox. There's still some progress to do regarding to the free software . Obviously, US is the first origin with 37%, followed by France (12%) and UK (11%). The dominating articles are clearly related to the UTMB (hint...), the first one being UTMB 2005. A big thank you to playmbd which is the first independent site to drain readers with about 1% of the origins (far behind the search engines). It's fun, I can also monitor the frequency of connections from sites such as univ-mulhouse.fr, amadeus.net or u-strasbg.fr, which give me a hint about the reader identity

The little game is the following: can you guess what are the keywords most people use to reach this blog via the search engines ? I have a copy of the current top 20 keywords (so that no one tries to influence the stats), you can post your list of 5 words as a comment. You will be rewarded some points proportionally to the popularity of each word in the top 20. Results on the 29th. Good luck !

Ultra blog engine stats

This is the title of an article published in Hammersmith and Fulham News, the paper of our "zero tolerance" city council. Lycra louts refers to the cyclists riding on the pavements. They may now be fined £60. Hereafter is a transcript of my answer as I feel like it won't be published in the next issue...

Good afternoon,

I would like to give you my opinion about the article on cycling published in H&F News.

I'm mostly a pedestrian and definitely agree that bikes shouldn't be allowed on the pavements. However, giving a fine won't change anything; the cause of this problem must be solved. Cyclists don't ride on the pavements for the sake of annoying pedestrians. Cyclists must be given a chance to ride safely.

When you see how many cars are parked on the cycling lanes such as on Lillie road, and how dangerous it is for cyclists to overtake them, I understand why some may prefer to ride on the pavements. On top of that, these cars often generate congestion because the buses can't pass by easily. Why doesn't the police fine or even remove those cars ? They're a annoyance for other cars, for bus commuters, for cyclists and for pedestrians that have to face those cyclists. "Zero tolerance" seems to be your motto, why this doesn't apply to these cars too ?

I read Cllr Smith says disrespectfully "it is only a matter of time before [someone is] seriously injured by one of these lycra louts". He just proved himself that this has not happened yet. But tens of cyclists die on London's streets every year, and that's a fact, not a vague supposition.

Risking a £60 fine or risking to die under a car ? I think the choice is obvious ... The fine won't change anything. Clear up the cycling lanes, build new ones and cyclists won't ride on the pavements anymore.

Subsidiary question: how do you prove your bike's ownership ? I don't know many people carrying their bike receipt while commuting.

Thank you for your attention if you read so far.

Best regards,

Ultra lycra lout too (when I run ... on the cycling lane because pedestrians are too slow )

This is a private message to the reader with the IP [195.225.177.*], probably from Ukraine, that connects to my blog more than 10 times a day. If you are not a (spam) robot, could you please tell me why you like my blog so much ? Otherwise I may consider you as such and blacklist you .

Ultra curious.

(updated 18/06)

Odile started to think, to some extend, that she may consider to try to run one day. It's a shame her comic's blog is still only in French. It's so nice and funny, I can't resist to translate you a bit.

This is when she started to think about running: Marathon (mayonnaise). It reads:

This week-end I watched the Paris marathon.
Just as like when I want to learn to play the piano when I hear someone playing, this made me feel like running.
I've always boycotted running because I didn't want to look like that:
(A small beer ?) (No, that'll be mineral water)
(A little tartiflette ?) (Only a salad)
But the self-overtaking, the ambience in marathons and the happiness which must be felt on the finish line, made me feel I could overcome these clichés...

And now, the result: Un jour, peut-etre...(One day, maybe...)

(I've still not started to run...) (But I eat just as if I did already...)
(Noooo but that all right ! I've decided to run !) (Tomorrow, I'm going for sure !)

And eventually the (last?) episode, Truc de malade (Crazy stuff):

(hmmmm, ZzZzz, what now ? run ? not run ? run ? not run ? ...) (Rooo, I don't go, that's useless !)
(Hmm, but now there's no one at home, nothing to do, the forest is 2 minutes away, it's not too hot, I didn't go late to bed...) (Well, crazy stuff, I'm going)

Ultra funny.

I've just read the story of Steve, a strongly overweigthed American guy who started a coast-to-coast walk a year ago (weighting about 190kg) from Southern California, hoping to reach New-York. He has already walked 3,700km and lost 52kg. But overall he started to realise, just like many ultrarunners, that his trip could be a quest to a better way of life in a car-dependent society.

Ultra touching.