I just wrote quite a lengthy post describing my running of the Mendip Marauder 30 Miler ultramarathon a couple of Saturday’s back but unfortunately the post didn’t upload properly and my efforts were lost. I don’t think I have the time or energy to recreate the whole thing again so I will just record here that the run was from Wells in Somerset to Uphill beach just south of Weston-Super-Mare along and several times across the Mendip Hills ridge. It was a tough route with over 4000 feet of elevation gain (so quite a lot of walking mixed in with the running!) and I completed it in 7 hours 15 minutes – a time that I was reasonably pleased with.
It was a sunny day but fortunately there was a cool breeze which took the edge off the heat. The views were absolutely stunning, especially looking south from the Mendip Hills towards the Somerset Levels (with Glastonbury Tor and Brent Knoll visible) and the Bristol Channel coast beyond. Despite it being a very tough run, I really enjoyed the day and the peace and solitude it afforded me. I have no doubt in my mind now that running ultramarathon is simply something I have to do now…
Here are some pictures from the day…
View from above Draycott towards the Somerset Levels with Brent Knoll in the distance:
Views from the western end of the main Mendip ridge around Waverley Down and towards Crook Peak:
On Uphill Beach with the finishers’ medal:
Tim O'Hare 