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| Ian Hammett | 4:35:23 | 1st place and new course record |
It had been a year since I tackled my first Ultra Marathon at The Ox when I managed a 2nd place finish, so almost exactly 12 months on I found myself back on the Rushmore Estate in the early morning fog, amongst the sheep and the early morning risers from the campsite who were not too intoxicated from the previous nights festivities of the Dark Ox Race and the Cranborne Chase cider that had undoubtedly been consumed. The feeling of Deja Vu was added to by my Dad who once again joined the Bacon sandwich queue and demolished it in front of me.
This year though I was fully prepared for what awaited me... I knew that there would be mud... I knew there would be puddles and I also knew that several large hills lay ahead on the testing but beautiful course through the Wiltshire countryside.
As with most White Star Running events the race briefing is relaxed.... 'Run.. follow the arrows.... if you go wrong you are an idiot..... don't upset the cows or sheep, close the gates... and don't get run over at road crossings.... Have fun all!!'. This is usually then followed by 'we will be starting in 5 minutes...... no 10 minutes... hold on... hold on...!!'.... You have to love the relaxed nature of this though, no one moans or complains, no one grumbles, it just adds to the entertainment.
Finally we were called to the start line and in true WSR fashion, Andy shouted ' we are starting in 3.2.1 go!' and we were off into the countryside.
Due to a few issues with the local farmers and access to the Public Bridleways on their land, this year the course had to be re-routed, so the first 11 miles threw in three new hills, and a big loop almost back to where we had started. Thanks to some biblical rain the night before the ground was sodden in places which made for heavy going and you could of done with a bridge to cross a few of the puddles.
That being said one guy went off like he was racing a 10 km race, which left a few of us questioning each other as to whether he could keep that sort of pace going as he disappeared off into the distance. It still never fails to amaze me at Ultra events that you get the sprint starters.... It only ever ends one way. At the first hill a small group of three of us broke away from the rest of the pack and started off in pursuit of the Usain Bolt of Ultra running. Making our way through the forest paths, fields, and country roads the miles steadily began to tick by, as the mud accumulated on our shoes.
We thought the super speedy chap was well out of sight as we approached the 10km aid station where I should of asked how far he was in front, but much to our surprise as we rounded the next corner, low and behold there he was about 400m ahead. One of the guys running with me said sympathetically 'I really hope he hasn't blown up already... there's still 30 miles left'... As a group we stayed about 200m behind for the next few miles in no hurry to catch him as we climbed a steep hill for what seemed like 1.5 miles.
As is customary on the Ox for me I decided that at 9.5 miles it would be a good idea to take my tumble in the race, tripping over a tree root and landing flat in a nice soaking wet pile of moss.. banging my knee in the process and being picked up by my fellow runner Mike from Lordshill Road Runners. Now I know its not quite on the scale of banging my head on the tarmac at the VLM and getting up to win like the female winner did this year, but I did have a slight graze on my knee that stung a bit. Mainly my pride was dented though!
Recovering my composure, my fellow runners and I closed down on the 1st place chap, catching him at about 13.5 miles much to his surprise (he did a double take at one point when he looked over his shoulder to see the three of us behind him and almost fell over!!). Then gradually our fresher legs seemed to take us away from him as we were averaging around 7.5 min miles by now.
I knew the other guys with me were strong runners, one had done the Thames Trot 50 earlier in the year and possessed a Half Marathon PB of 1.17, and the other Steve from Poole had a 2:36 Marathon PB and had run sub 2:30 at this years Grizzly... distinguished company indeed. This was going to be a good race, however they did seem concerned about the hills that lay ahead, and I knew that from 21 miles onwards there was a long drag to the top end of the course that lasted for about 7 miles... this was were I made my move.
I slotted in front of Steve as the path started to rise and then I just began to ease away from him and Mike. I knew that this was the section of the course that would decide whether I could win this race or not. I don't recall pushing too hard, but I just abandoned the chat and slipped into race mode pulling away and by the time I turned onto the Ox Drove at the top of the course I had opened a significant gap. I also knew that we rejoined the tail end of the marathon and half marathon races at 29 miles so I only had 8 miles or so of lone running to do. As if running ultra's isn't hard enough the heavens then decided to open whilst I was in the most exposed part of the course... soaking me through and making the footing even more challenging. Head down I kept pushing, knowing each step bought me closer to the finish.
In the back of my mind were the two brutal hills that lay in wait, one at about 33 miles and one at 35.5... I knew I was going to have to walk up those, everybody does, so i needed to make sure the gap was big just incase. On route to those big hills I passed lots of tailenders from the other races who gave me plenty of encouragement and I returned the favour as best that I could.
On the first hill one of those back markers even decided to take a pic of me as I overtook them walking up the incline. I gave them my best 'I'm knackered but happy smile' and then ploughed on up the path. When I say ploughed I mean quite literally as the ground was so cut up and boggy that you couldn't of run if you'd wanted too. Even though the climb is brutal the view at the top is worth it, as you see runners curving round the rim of the valley and disappearing through a hedge on the other side. Then it's all downhill apart from the last climb.
I opened the legs and pushed as best I could, trying to relax on the downhill stretches and enjoy the scenery. A couple of cursory looks as the route double backed on itself told me I had quite a lead, and I reached the last short hill knowing that I was going to win. It was now just a case of could i beat my time from last year. I strode up the last hill as quick as my aching legs would let me and then urged them to give me just a little bit more effort to reach the finish. There was a sign that had said 400m to go just as we got to the bottom of the hill, but i think it was teasing us. I turned the corner to see the finish line and crossed it in 4:35:23... a new course record by 4 minutes.
Race Organiser Andy turned to me and said Well done 3rd Marathon finisher home... to which I replied 'No Andy... 1st Ultra runner home I think'... to which his reply was 'Blimey... Well done mate.... where's this guy's certificate and medal.... can someone grab him the beer!!'.... truth being told I would have preferred cake, however after a big hug from Claire as well as an exuberant hug from a lady wearing a cow onesie (Don't ask!!) I gave a bottle of beer to Dad for his support and then had a few obligatory race photo's. There would always be time to hunt for cake later......
Another great day at a White Star Running event and if you have never done one then I strongly suggest you get involved as soon as possible!! Happy Trails everybody!!