Trail running to explore the unbeaten path
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
The North Coast 110km ultra was a spur of the moment booking for me. I found it, and signed up for it exactly one week before the event itself, on the last day that registrations were open. Talk about being trigger happy! Part of my decision to book this in was me looking (impulsively) for … Read more
The RIDUM 2022 was yet another brilliant ultra marathon by Pegasus Ultra Running. The course itself is roughly 30 miles (50km) and traverses the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway near Caerphilly, Wales. RIDUM 2022 Personal time goal Being 50 km in length, I knew I wanted to run this one faster than a typical 50 miler, but … Read more
A chased day of work on Friday followed by a two hour journey east to Builth Wells, just a little north of the Brecon Beacons National Park had me arriving at the start line of the EDDUM. A 50 mile ultra marathon along the Epynt Way, hosted by Pegasus Ultra Running. The EDDUM is 49.7 … Read more
The North CANUM ultra is a 50 mile race following two waterways in North Wales – the Llangollen and Montgomery canals. The route starts near the Berwyn range in the town of Llangollen, and finishes in Newtown. Although the route is quite flat, along the way you get to experience breathtaking views of the surrounding … Read more
The VOGUM is a 40 mile (64 km) ultra marathon taking place in the Vale of Glamorgan. The route hugs the South Wales coastal path, running from Porthcawl to Penarth, just below Cardiff. Having moved to West Wales toward the end of last year, earlier this year I found myself seeking out marathon and ultra … Read more
Last Saturday I ran the 2022 Blacks to the Beacons 50 mile ultra marathon. The race was 52 miles over the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons in Wales, with an elevation of about 11,000 ft (3300 meters). I finished with a chip time of 14:30:56, placing 29th (21st in my age category). It was a … Read more
I recently completed my first 50 mile (80km) trail run, set mostly over the Serpent Trail here in England. Running 50 miles is now an accomplishment I can put behind me, as I focus on my next goal: 100km, (62 miles). My first 50 miler was quite hastily planned. I was physically prepared for it, … Read more
Recently I completed a shorter ultra trail run on parts of the Serpent Trail. I decided to go back and run the trail more closely this time around. My goal on this attempt was to run without skipping any segments and complete another South Downs ultra trail run on the Serpent Trail. The route I … Read more