Swiss Alps 100 race

Running past the Aletsch Glacier on the Swiss Alps 100 race

My journey to the Swiss Alps 100 race started when I applied to enter UTMB through the lottery system. I didn’t get a place, but had pre-booked a hotel in Courmayeur, Italy just-in-case. When it was clear I wasn’t doing UTMB, I looked for other similiar races, and found the Swiss Alps 100 race. I … Read more

Racing around the Gateway to Wales (PIGUM)

PIGUM 2024 start

The PIGUM (which is an acronym for Porth I’r Gymru Ultra Marathon) is a 30 mile race with around 1700m (5500ft) elevation gain/loss, starting in the market town of Abergavenny, Wales. Porth I’r Gymru translates to “Gateway to Wales”. Last year I deferred this race due to scheduling issues, and this year I wasn’t originally … Read more

Wild West Ultra, Pembrokeshire

Wild West Ultra race, coast path climb

I recently entered and took part in the Wild West Ultra. A 64km (40 mile) race local to me here in Pembrokshire, West Wales. It was great to have something local to look forward to. And even better, no absurdly early wake up time on race morning, and I could do race-specific training quite easily … Read more

UTS 100k – Ultra-Trail Snowdonia Eryri

uts 100k, descending glyder fawr

I booked UTS 100k soon after running the UTS 50 event last year. The mountaineous terrain in Eryri is very challenging, and the race promises a ‘brutal but beautiful’ experience. Both of those claims were delivered this year with another hot race weekend in the mountains. Race Profile The race is 104km in length, with … Read more

Conquering Heights: My 2024 Trail and Ultra Running Journey

As dawn broke on 2024, thinking about my goals around running, the air was thick with anticipation and the promise of adventure was strong. But at the same time, there was also an air of uncertainty about it for me. Last year was a good year in terms of ticking off some big items on … Read more

Taking on the Dragon’s Back Race

Running in the Rhinog Mountains, Dragon's Back Race

Summarised, the Dragon’s Back Race was a week running the ‘spine’ of Wales in a week of particularly intense heat. This week-long adventure was interspersed with lasting memories and friendships forged in the shared enjoyment of the mountains of Wales (and the hardships we endured). The Dragon’s Back Race (Ras Cefn y Ddraig in Welsh) … Read more

Ultra-Trail Snowdonia Eryri (UTS 50) Race Report

Ultra-Trail Snowdonia - descending the trail after the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

The tag line of Ultra-Trail Snowdonia, part of the UTMB World Series of events, is “Beautiful beyond belief. Savage beyond reason“. And the events certainly live up to that claim. Eryri (Snowdonia) is one of the most beautiful locations in the UK. The terrain, from the mountains, to the bogs between can be cruel and … Read more

My Biggest Challenge Yet – Taking on Wild Horse 200

Wild Horse 200 South Wales Carmarthen Fans

After a string of successful ultra marathons in 2022, and wanting to push myself further, I signed up for my biggest challenge yet. The Wild Horse 200 South Wales. The Wild Horse 200 is a 200 miles (a bit more really) continuous multi-day ultra marathon, and features around 10,000 meters (32,000 ft) of vertical elevation … Read more