Ridgeway Challenge 85
29th/30th August 2009

  

Official Result
Noel Jones 22 hours 47 mins

This weekend I succeeded in my attempt to complete the Ridgeway Challenge. The challenge is quite simple; run from the Ivinghoe Beacon at the start of the Ridgeway national path and get to Avebury Circle at the other end in under 26 hours. 85 miles through the Chiltern Hills and North Wessex Downs; 9,000 feet of ascent.
 
It's an understatement to say this was hard! At times my feet hurt so much I could hardly walk and in fact it hurt less to run. Staying awake after 40 miles and keeping going through the night was tough and occasionally I was staggering around like a drunk. I'd like to say the sunrise was glorious but I was looking the other way at the time (running west). It was a real milestone to realise I could turn the head torch off and soon after I was at a checkpoint where they had a most welcome log file going. Only 16 more miles to go after that.
 
Sylvia did a grand job of support through the night and early morning, providing motivation and dry clothes on demand. While I ran the race alone I was never alone for long. I knew a good half dozen of the other competitors from other races and chatted to many people as we passed and often passed again.
 
It was all worth it for that run down into Avebury. Yes! I've actually gone and done it!
 
22 hours and 47 minutes.
 
Noel.
 

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