Innholdsfortegnelse for August - September 2019 i Trail Running

In the mind A study by the University of East Anglia on 1000 people undergoing treatment for shoulder pain discovered those who expected it to work were more likely to recover. Published this year in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the paper concluded: “Patient expectation and pain self-efficacy are associated with clinical outcome.” Cryotherapy on ice Icing new injuries to reduce inflammation is a commonly used treatment, but a new book called Good To Go has called that method into question. The author Christie Aschwanden, echoing the words of the doctor who coined the term ‘RICE’, Gabe Mirkin, writes: “There’s this idea out there that inflammation is terrible, and you want to reduce it. But the inflammatory process is how your body recovers from exercise, and rebuilds and recuperates.”…

The link between physical activity and a longer life has been established for a while, and a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine highlighted that just a small amount (10 to 59 minutes) resulted in a lower mortality risk. The even better news for most of us is that those who had 150 to 299 minutes per week of leisure time physical activity lowered the risk of death further, and those who exercised for more than 1500 minutes per week reduced it even further.…

For some they’re a constant accompaniment; for others they’ve been gathering dust ever since a spur-of-the-moment purchase – and foam rollers divide opinion among scientists as much as among runners. A recent review of 21 scientific papers did little to help, stating their effectiveness was still in question. Nevertheless, the paper published this year in Frontiers in Physiology highlighted some positive findings, including that foam rolling after exercise reduced pain perception by 6% and use before a workout boosted flexibility by 4%.…

Congratulations. Are you surprised? “Thank you! Yeah, completely; it’s still sinking in. I knew I was running well, but Dragon’s Back is much more challenging than anything I’ve done. My aim was to get to the end with a smile on my face and not be too broken. I was careful with pacing and it really paid off.” How did you train? “I got out on the course, or similar terrain, as much as possible, often for back-to-back days. I also did some interval training and strength and conditioning, and a few long races to test everything out. My Munro round (all 282 summits in 77 days) in 2017 taught me how to look after my body and mind on a multi-day challenge in the mountains.” How tough was it?…

Ultra-runner Paul Tierney broke Steve Birkinshaw’s five-year Wainwrights record, completing the 318-mile challenge in six days, six hours and five minutes. Summitting each of Alfred Wainright’s 214 Lake District peaks in one hit, he lopped almost seven hours off the record. “The hardest bit was definitely the lack of sleep,” said 36-year-old Tierney. “I think I averaged just two hours in every 24 hours. There were times I thought I couldn’t do it, but I just kept pushing on. The awful Sunday night in the storm up on the fells around Fairfield is something I won’t forget.” Paul ran in memory of friend and team-mate Chris Stirling, to raise money for charity MIND UK. Donations can be made at justgiving.com/ fundraising/paul-tierneywainwrights214.…

Mark ‘Bez’ Berry has run the 184-mile Thames Path in four days, with a team of relay runners, before running it back in the opposite direction, in a record time of just 30 hours and 14 minutes. They ran to raise awareness of C.A.L.M., the Campaign Against Living Miserably. As TR went to press, Damian Hall was awaiting verification of his 17 hour, 31 minute Paddy Buckley round – an 11-minute improvement on Tim Higginbottom’s 2009 record for the 61-mile Welsh round with 28,000ft of ascent. Aventurer Anna McNuff is currently attempting to run 2620 miles (100 marathons) through Britain, barefoot. youtube. com/c/Annamcnuff…

A bout 10 years ago, you were more likely to see Harry Jones representing his country on the athletics track than having a tilt at the UTMB. But, since disappearing from the track scene in his early 20s, he’s relocated to Thailand and reinvented himself as an ultra runner. Having finished fourth at the Penyagolosa Ultra Trails this spring and eighth at the UTMB CCC race in 2018, at the age of 30 he is among Britain’s brightest prospects. How did you get into running? Like most kids, I jumped into cross country in a PE lesson then kind of got pushed into track. I did middle-distance for years, then stopped racing. Why did you quit? I was in university and things were going well – I had a few…

1 SIGN UP ONLINE Visit run1000miles.co.uk to register. We’ve also designed new 2019 #Run1000Mile ruffs for you to wear while you complete your challenge. They’re on sale now for £7.50 – so order yours today, because they’re proving extremely popular! 2 DO A PLEDGE Visit the website, download the #Run1000Miles pledge, sign it, take a picture of it and post it on social media to commit to the challenge. 3 JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP Sign up at facebook.com/ groups/run1000miles. You’ll be part of a buzzing community sharing the joys and toils of the experience, boosting you to achieve your aims. 4 FILL IN THE TRACKER Download the mileage tracker from run1000miles.co.uk to record how you’re progressing towards the big 1000. 5 GET SOCIAL Tag your…

Just as we all used to love watching endless hours of cartoons or perhaps refused to eat cheese as youngsters, or greens, or broccoli, so our tastes – and more importantly – needs change as we move through the trail running adventure. What was once ridiculously easy will become increasingly more difficult with the passage of time. Knees hurt, time is short, weight can become an issue when it never was, and life in general will get in the way. Average numbers will confirm you’ll weigh around 5-10kg more than you did at your peak when you were/are 25, oxygen intake declines, maximum heart rate decreases and muscles lose about 25 per cent of their best power by the time you’re 65. That’s not being negative, it’s a statement of…

John Brewer, Professor of Applied Sport Science at Buckinghamshire New University and 20 time London Marathon runner, explains that in order to discern why the early 20s age group seems to be considered the prime age for improvement, we have to take a step back and consider a few facts about our bodies first. “It’s necessary to consider genetics and physiology. Humans are each designed to excel at different activities. So, if you take someone who has a predisposition to long-distance running and combine that with an unrealised potential, when they begin training, they’re going to see even more rapid improvements.” Brewer also explains that from birth to about 30 years of age our muscles are increasing in size and are far more receptive to repair and rebuilding. But as…

Knowing what to pack for a 650km trail of unknowns is difficult, especially when it comes to footwear. You need a mixture of good cushioning for all the miles but enough grip to stay on your foot during the gnarly descents. Dan wore Adidas Adizero Boost XTs, a shoe that’s not made any more but certainly fits the above criteria. I wore the Altra Superior 4.0 with an extra rock plate under the insole. In hindsight they were probably a little lightweight for all those rocks, but I swapped into a pair of Altra Escalante for any long road sections if possible and a bit of easier trail, too, just for the cushioning later in the trip. We kept clothing simple, with Dan entirely in pre-loved ReRun Clothing and myself…

ASK THE EXPERTS Email your questions to tr@ bauermedia.co.uk or send a message over social media to get your training queries answered by the pros. ROBBIE BRITTON GB ultra runner, sponsored by TomTom and Profeet. IAN STEWART Full-time mountaineering instructor and hugely passionate ultra-runner trailrunningscotland.com RACHEL HELDRAKE Running coach and mountain leader with a passion for trails mudandmiles.co.uk OLLIE ARMSTRONG Sport physiology lead at Uni of Birmingham sportandfitness.bham. ac.uk/performance CHARLOTTE JALLEY Co-founder of ReRun Clothing, set up to keep running kit out of landfill. rerunclothing.org Q How should I clean my running shoes? Claire Spring, Inverness A We all love that pristine look of a brand new running shoe, but equally we love to get them muddy on the trails! If you want them to look more like their original…

As much as we talk about the importance of hydration in sport having year-round importance, there’s no denying that this time of year runners tend to pay a little more attention to it. Running, and particularly racing, on warmer days requires planning to make sure you get the most out of yourself (not to mention that you don’t do any damage to your body). Trail legend Jim Walmsley, for instance (see p70) who just clocked a new world record for 50 miles on a particularly hot day, told us: “I made a pre-race plan to drink about 700ml of a hydration mix per hour. The mix was a typical sports hydration drink, totaling 300 calories per hour with glucose and fructose as sugars. Nothing too fancy. I do wish I…

MONTANE MINIMUS WATERPROOF JACKET £160 210g (size M) montane.co.uk A classic lightweight waterproof with protective Pertex Shield. Designed for fast and light adventures it has an excellent adjustable hood with a wired peak, protective, longer-length sleeves, and a dropped tail which doesn’t ride up under a pack. The chest pocket doubles as a vent. Verdict: A cleverly designed waterproof, perfect for fast and light adventures. ADIDAS TERREX FREE HIKER SHOES £169.95 470g (UK size 11) adidas.co.uk Adidas combines its Boost midsole with a Continental rubber outsole and a knitted upper to create a super-comfortable fastpacking shoe. It’s best on hardpacked trails, offering a plush ride but less stability and precision than some trail-specific shoes. The upper is supportive and acts as a debris gaiter. Sized slightly large. Verdict: Comfortable and…

LA SPORTIVA AKYRA 278g (UK 5w) lasportiva.com £140 These quickly established themselves as the go-to off-road shoe of choice for one of our test team. That's because the shoes are exceptionally grippy and supportive around your feet and ankles. They can be a little slippery on the tarmac on their first few outings before they wear in, but once they’re scuffed up on the outer sole, they’re fine. Another plus is that you’d expect them to be heavy at first glance, however they are light and breathable so could transcend seasons. They should be superb this autumn and beyond as conditions become more tricky. They work off a 9mm drop and can cope with high mileage superbly. VERDICT A great shoe for really technical terrain SCOTT KINABALU RC 2.0 260g (UK…

1 PENROSE, CORNWALL Lakeside leg-stretcher in the glorious south-west 2 SUFFOLK COAST 20km nature reserve run beside the seaside (beside the sea) 3 SUTTON PARK, WEST MIDS Idyllic trail a stone’s throw from Birmingham city centre 4 LONGSTONE MOOR, PEAK DISTRICT 19km, including the Monsal Trail 5 PENNINE WAY ULTRA Bumpy point-to-point epic 6 AIRA FORCE/GOWBARROW FELL, LAKE DISTRICT Gentle 7km Ullswater meander 7 LLANWONNO AND LLUEST-WEN RESERVOIR, BRECON BEACONS Welsh wonder with historic sights 8 SARN SABRINA, MID-WALES 40km challenge run 9 RING OF STEALL, MAMORES Short on miles, big on ascent 10 BUACHAILLE ETIVE BEAG, GLENCOE Achievable Scottish loop…

DISTANCE ASCENT DIFFICULTY This run takes you on an enjoyable tour of Sutton Park National Nature Reserve, 2400 acres of green space just six miles north of central Birmingham. This is a real urban escape with a great feeling of wildness in places where cattle and wild ponies roam freely and fish lurk in deep lakes. The run takes in the unexpected diversity of the park, winding through ancient oak woodland and across grassy meadows dotted with lakes and ponds. From the start, the run follows a quiet stretch of road past Keeper’s and Blackroot Pools before running on a pleasant woodland track through Upper Nut Hurst. Here it skirts around the eastern edge of Bracebridge Pool before tracing the western edge of the park to reach Banners Gate. The…

DISTANCE ASCENT DIFFICULTY At nine miles (14.5km) long by 0.75 miles (1.2km) wide, Ullswater is the second-largest body of water in the Lake District after Windermere. The 20-mile (32km) waymarked Ullswater Way circumnavigates the lake, for the most part staying well away from the roads and exploring the rugged fells within which it is set. Aira Force, owned by the National Trust and at the edge of Ullswater, is one of the most popular waterfalls in the National Park, and with good reason as its craggy woodland backdrop is utterly magical. This scenic run loops around peaceful Gowbarrow Fell, adjacent to Aira Force, taking in fine views across the lake from its summit before visiting the famous falls as a fitting finale. • Jen and Sim Benson nationaltrust.org.uk/ aira-force-and-ullswater GET…

DISTANCE ASCENT DIFFICULTY An iconic Scottish mountain route tackling steep, rocky ground and exposed ridges, this is a serious undertaking requiring sure feet and a good head for heights. The route follows good paths for most of the way but does include a couple of sections where the ground is steep enough to require hands on rock. Highlights include an exciting cable bridge crossing of the river (paddle across if you don’t fancy it), the lofty peak of Am Bodach and a traverse of the airy Devils Ridge to the highpoint of Sgurr a’ Mhaim. The reward for the hard work is bagging four Munros whilst experiencing stunning views over some of Scotland’s highest mountains. Navigation skills and mountain experience are essential and the river crossing should not be attempted…

LILY PARTRIDGE What does she owe her amazing London Marathon success to? Trail running, p20. MICHAEL JONES The man behind an amazing Snowdonia event takes us up his fave hill, p30. MATT SWAINE The mag’s former leader chats to a 66-year-old who still beats most folk, p38. ANDY BOND Have buggy will run. How to fit off-road adventures into your family life, p40. ROBBIE BRITTON Dangerous dogs, not to mention hundreds of kilometres, in the heat of Jordan, p58. ELSPETH TURNER Summer shoes rated by our super quick tester on the South Downs, p90. /trailrunningmag @trailrunningmag /trailrunningmag tr@bauermedia.co.uk…

APPLES A medium apple contains just 95 calories and the body also requires a relatively large amount of energy to consume and digest it. Fat-free, they are low-glycemic, meaning they keep you fuller for longer. They are also high in antioxidants, flavonoids, and dietary fibre. Studies have also found apples can be good for your neurological health and reduce the risk of stroke. BANANAS An excellent source of potassium, fibre and vitamin B6, a medium banana contains 105 calories. They contain tryptophan, which boosts mood and improves memory. They may help prevent asthma, cancer and high blood pressure, plus their high iron content means they help fight anemia. VERDICT Both are great as part of a balanced diet, although your individual dietary requirements may cause you to favour one over…

Training for a marathon? ‘Be more specific’ is the advice of a recent scientific study. Three sub-three-hour males and five sub-3:30 females who were already running 30 miles per week were tested by the University of Minnesota two weeks and 10-11 weeks into their 12-week marathon training programmes. All participants showed an increase in VO2 max, with the mean amount being 24%. The average of their body fat percentage was decreased from 18.7% to 16.7%, although measures of running economy did not change significantly.…

8000 BCE Humans had probably been chewing on sugar cane long before it was first cultivated as a crop around this time in New Guinea. 0-1000 CE Sugar was being used to treat indigestion and stomach ailments. 1300s Perhaps reflecting the thoughts of the time, in a recipe collection known as Le Viandier, almost half the recipes containing sugar were said to have medicinal qualities. 1684 The first health warning about sugar was issued. 1700s Sugar was seen as a luxury and the preserve of the rich, but over the next century it would become cheap and available to the masses. 1900s Sugar came to be viewed as an essential rather than a luxury, a means of ready energy to fuel the post-Industrial Revolution workforce. 1960s It is claimed the…

Britain’s Jonathan Albon won the IAU Trail World Championships in Portugal, helping the GB men’s team to silver for the second consecutive year. Albon, who was fourth in 2018 on a 50-mile course, covered the 44km route with 2200m of elevation in three hours, 35 minutes and 35 seconds. Running in second place for much of the race, he overtook leader Christian Mathys of Switzerland in the latter half. “It’s not often you are well prepared, have a good strategy and on a course that suits you,” he said. “It’s even rarer to happen in a World Championship event!” With Carl Bell in 13th and Andrew Davies in 16th making up the scoring team, Britain took team silver behind France. Andy Symonds finished 33rd, seven places ahead of Sebastian Batchelor,…

GO TO IT! Run a beer-mile relay, hear inspirational speakers, enjoy BBQs and campfires at the Ultra X Summit in Hampshire on July 27-28. ultra-x.co/ media/launching-the-ultra-x-summit LEARN SKILLS! Learn navigation, how to run with poles and much more, at Mountain Run’s popular Ultra Trail Skills Weekend in the Lake District on October 11-13. mountainrun.co.uk LISTEN TO IT! The British Ultra Running Podcast, hosted by James Elson and Dan Lawson, is an entertaining and often fascinating insight into the UK’s ultra-running scene. britishultrarunning podcast.com BOOK IT! This year’s National trust South West Outdoor Festival will be held at Penrose, Cornwall on September 27-29. Expect running, music and cider. nationaltrust.org.uk WATCH IT! Underdog, an award-winning film about TR contributor Damian Hall’s attempt to crack the top 10 at UTMB, is now available…

30-year-old Utah man Kyler Bourgeous was gored and trampled when he startled a herd of bison whilst trail running in Antelope Island State Park. “I was kicked and trampled, cracking a rib and cutting my head,” said Bourgeous. It’s not trail running, but sometime trail runner James Williams ended his attempt to set a record for the fastest 800-mile LEJOG (Land’s End to to John O’Groats) after 377 miles, on his fifth day. Andrew Rivett’s 2002 record of 9 days, 2 hours, 26 seconds remains unbroken. In Alaska, a dog has saved a runner’s life, by bravely fighting off a brown bear. Sadly, Rascal, a shepherd/ husky mix, later died as a result of injuries sustained in the struggle.…

By now you should be more than halfway through your #Run1000Miles target for the year, but don’t worry if you’ve slipped behind. There’s still plenty of time to go! Increase your mileage if you need to, but by no more than 10% per week. It’s more important to stay in one piece and look at the long-term goal of being fit and healthy than risking injury by trying to make up for lost miles too quickly. If you’re yet to sign up, it’s not too late. Even if the 1000-mile target is beyond you, you’ll still benefit from being part of the great, inspirational community of our #Run1000Miles Facebook group. You’ll also get a monthly newsletter containing day-by-day schedules and helpful advice. Check out these motivational snippets from members of…

Running in your 40s In his 40s Nigel won 20 World Masters titles as well as setting three world age-group records. “Things changed for me when I met my wife Tricia because family became the number one focus. I was still running about 70 miles a week but I prioritised aerobic activity over speedwork. And I found I was running better times than I had in my mid 30s. “There was confidence, too. It had gone past the point where I could be anything seriously good. I was in older age groups and there was less pressure so suddenly there was this paradox of getting more attention because I was achieving more.” Running in your 50s “You’ve got to do running that doesn’t injure you. You mustn’t put limits on…

I felt confident as I flew to California for my longest ever race, the Miwok 100K, a 100km ultra in the coastal range in Marin County to the north of San Francisco. Sure, it was almost twice as far as I had ever run, but all I had to do, I figured, was take my time. The hills in California weren’t dissimilar to the coastal path near my home in Devon where I trained. And besides, I was running the race primarily to get points to qualify for the UTMB. I didn’t need to break any records, just finish. The race started before dawn outside a wooden community centre in Stinson Beach, to the sound of the Pacific waves rolling in. Head torches zipped around as I tied my laces…

Earlier this year, trail running superstar Jim Walmsley turned his attention to having a crack at the world record for 50 miles. Admittedly, it was on the road and part of a promotional exercise for the new Hoka One One Carbon X shoe. But, given his undoubted love of trail and Hoka’s passion in that area, we couldn’t help but take notice. In case you missed it, Jim averaged an amazing 5:48 per mile to break the previous mark, clocking 4:50:08. Sub-six-minute miles for 50 miles is clearly something very special so it was no surprise to learn it was down to some serious hard work, not just new shoes. “My passion and love of running is rooted in the trails,” Jim told us. “However, road ultras have a history…

Robbie Britton and Natalie White, elite runners and coaches, give us their top tips for multi-days. LOOK AT THE COURSE PROFILE, READ BLOGS, WATCH VIDEOS Then plan your training so it specifically mimics the challenge ahead. GET FAMILIAR WITH YOUR FOOD Before running the Arctic Ultra in Sweden, Robbie tested his food in the freezer. It’s no good to you if it’s rock solid or will melt in the heat! GET THE RIGHT KIT FOR THE RACE AND TRAIN WITH IT BEFOREHAND When Natalie did Tor des Geants she made sure her kit was fit for the task. A super lightweight waterproof is great, but if it won’t keep you dry day after day it isn’t up to a multi-day. DON’T SCRIMP ON FOOD! Some people save pack weight by…

Follow these five golden rules from one of the world’s top ultra runners HYDRATION IS AN EVERYDAY THING Keep hydrated every day, not just around your training. This will ensure you start training in a good hydrated state and that you replenish afterwards. As a bonus, all your life tasks will probably function better, too. So drink enough and don’t be afraid of that extra pinch of seasalt on your food (if you’re not suffering from hypertension that is). HAVE A PLAN For racing longer races, have a hydration plan adjusted to your needs USE NUTRITION PRODUCTS THAT YOU ARE USED TO Take your personal physiology into consideration. For example, do you sweat a lot, is the sweat ‘salty’? Then you need more electrolytes. ASSESS THE CLIMATE Research where the…

Neatcleats Zspurs £24.95 Popular in the cycling world, this really is a bit of kit for the trail runner who has everything. Basically, this is a clever way to handle your shoes. They stop your bag getting dirty and free up a bit of space. Agreed, they aren’t what you’d call essential, but they are rather handy and interestingly, plenty of folk here wanted a set. neatcleats.cc SIMPLICITY ITSELF Just clip the mechanism over your shoes, lock it in place and attached to your bag with the carabiner. CLIMATE CONTROL FOR THE SUMMER Gore R7 Partial Gore-Tex Infinium vest £114.99 As amazing as our summer can be, you know it’s going to be a bit cool and damp on the odd day so this lightweight and breathable bit of kit…

Whether you’re racing a mountain marathon or fastpacking a National Trail, multi-day running adventures demand a lot from your kit. Lightweight and packable is key for equipment such as tents, stoves and sleeping bags, while clothing needs to be comfortable, protective and quick-drying. Shoes should offer protection and grip for the terrain and weather conditions, and a perfect fit. Here’s our pick of the best...…

DISTANCE ASCENT DIFFICULTY From the car park in the National Trust-owned Penrose estate, this route rambles around the forest-fringed banks of lovely Loe Pool, Cornwall’s largest freshwater lake. Its still waters teem with wildlife, including otters and various birds. At the southern end of the lake, the trail traverses an exposed stretch of dramatic beach. You can head straight back along the Loe’s tree-tickled western shore for a 10km route, but it’s worth climbing up the headland and running a little further for views over Porthleven and out into the Celtic Sea, where dolphins can be spied. Penrose is where the 2019 South West Outdoor Festival is taking place on the weekend of September 27–29. This adventure-drenched event offers many challenges, including trail races ranging from a 5km night run…

DISTANCE ASCENT DIFFICULTY Unlike the high, gritstone moors of the Dark Peak, the White Peak, lying in the southern half of the Peak District, offers a gentler kind of running through dry limestone valleys and grassy fields and along riverside trails. This run, starting in the pretty town of Bakewell, follows the winding River Wye before heading to the Monsal Trail, a former railway line and now an 8.5-mile (13.7km) multi-user path. After crossing the much-photographed Headstone Viaduct, there’s a steady climb through leafy Hay Dale and all the way up to Longstone Moor. Stop to catch your breath and take in the glorious views of the White Peak landscape from Longstone Edge – it’s pretty much all downhill from here. ■ Jen and Sim Benson wildrunning.net GET THIS ROUTE…

DISTANCE ASCENT DIFFICULTY The Welsh valleys are steeped in industrial history and the remains of the Welsh coal industry have left its mark on this route. Former collieries which have helped shape the land in this area add to the fantastic scenery. As you pass by the old filter house and tramway that ran from Lluest-wen reservoir to Maerdy colliery, look out for the remains of Castell Nos, a medieval castle and nineteenth-century humpbacked bridge. There are many historic gems to look out for as you make your way to Lluest-wen reservoir. The majority of this route winds its way around forestry tracks, but take care as the route crosses the A4233 road at SS973999. The trees open up at parts to reveal spectacular views of small villages nestled in…

DISTANCE ASCENT DIFFICULTY Deep in dramatic Glencoe, the Lairig Gartain and Lairig Eilde trails encircle the long ridgeline of Buachaille Etive Beag, the little brother to its better-known neighbour, Buachaille Etive Mor. These two trails together make one of the best low-level runs in the area, with outstanding vistas down Glen Etive. Our run around Buachaille Etive Beag is a clockwise loop, heading straight into the glorious steep-sided Lairig Gartain and finishing down the Pass of Glencoe. • Jen and Sim Benson adventureplaces.co.uk GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! WWW.TRAILRUNNING MAG.CO.UK/ROUTES In association with…

What? ISMT is “strength-training for the muscles you breathe in with,” according to Daniel Craighead, a researcher at the University of Colorado, Boulder, who is leading a clinical trial into use of the handheld devices. How? You breathe against resistance for as little as five minutes per day without even having to put your training kit on. Why? It’s not new, but preliminary results of a study presented at the Experimental Biology conference in Orlando in April highlighted that systolic blood pressure plummeted by 12mm of mercury after just six weeks. Longer-held claims include an improvement in endurance sport ability. CALORIE COUNT…

US-based Paddy O’Leary beat Joe ‘Stringbean’ McConaughy’s time for the Wicklow Round, Ireland’s 26 summits, in April. Then just over a week later, orienteer Shane Lynch ran 16:23:32, taking just under four minutes from the mark. Next up was Dublin-based Gavin Byrne. “When McConaughy broke the record in 2018 it got big publicity,” Byrne told TR. “I secretly thought to myself, ‘I could probably do that’. So I started doing a few recces... “I was attracted by the allure of Ireland’s best-known mountain challenge; no GPS, no pacers, just me, my compass and the Wicklow mountains. I joked with Paddy saying, ‘I’m going to run sub-16, you heard it here first.’ But never in my life did I think I would run 15:04:30.”…

One day this spring Lily Partridge lay breathless on the ground of an athletics track after a series of lung-bursting mile reps. Every tenth of a second on the clock mattered. Less than 24 hours later, she was running around Derwentwater in the Lake District, looking at the beautiful surroundings rather than her watch. The contrast was stark. Times are obviously important to professional road and track runners, but sometimes the foundations are laid on the trails. Despite her success on the road, Lily seeks out trails when she can. She estimates 60% of her training for this year’s London Marathon was off-road. She grew up running around Bourne Woods in Frensham and has competed for Britain at European or World Cross Country Championships nine times. Based in Surrey, she…

BITING BACK New for summer 2019, the Montane Viper Pullover is lightweight and versatile with warm yet breathable Polartec Thermal Pro fabric. Although packing light into your backpack, this close-fitting garment is a great mid-weight layer to have for when the weather turns cooler montane. co.uk LIGHT & DURABLE The Inov-8 Terraultra G 260 is all you need to do lots of miles on hard-packed trails, again and again. The revolutionary rubber outsole, made from the world’s lightest and toughest material, graphene, ensures unmatchable durability in a 260g shoe. Additional technology offers a cushioned, responsive ride. inov-8.com DON’T JACKET IN The Higher State Stretch Mountain Jacket offers maximum freedom of movement, providing a more casual cut with added features for everyday use. In combination with the weight, the fabric is…

Thinking of taking on a high-rise ultra trail such as the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia? Most of us in the UK don’t live near national parks so preparation can be tricky. Consider these tips from twice Lakeland 100 winner Michael Jones, who organises both the UTS and Snowdon Skyline. Spend a weekend in the area recceing the run. The Snowdon Skyline race lends itself quite well to being taken in over two laps and a figure-of-eight loop. Get confident on more exposed technical ridges. Don’t forget to go slow and steady. For something like the Snowdon Skyline, the sort of thing that will hurt most people is the technical descent, so I’d probably advise hitting the technical descents as much as possible, plus doing single leg press returns in the gym to…

It’s great to get out running, and to encourage your kids to run with you. Sometimes, however, you are itching to go that bit further and leave the kids at home. The best way to squeeze running into that busy life is about being disciplined and organised. Set aside weekly times when you will train (perhaps an early morning when the kids are still snoozing, or an hour on your lunch break), and choose events more local when the kids are young. Sneak an event in over a holiday, or perhaps a night race. Life’s a balancing act but generally when it comes to running, where there’s a will there’s a way!…

Browsing Google Earth to spot new landscapes for once-in-a-lifetime experiences is all part of a day’s work for Jim Mee. The man who founded Rat Race Adventure Sports in 2004 with an urban adventure in Edinburgh has expanded the portfolio to amazing journeys like 100-mile runs across lakes in Mongolia, but he currently has around 30 more ‘bucketlist’ ideas up his sleeve. His company plays on the increasing belief among runners that anything is possible, boosted by ‘ordinary’ ultra-runners such as Allie showing what can be done. It’s a trend that Mee, himself one of the test pilots for the Mongo 100, sees continuing. “Social media definitely is part of it,” he explains. “They will potentially know somebody who has done something like this so they think, ‘Hang on, if…

OUR EXPERTS We use in-house and independent experts with sports and exercise science backgrounds and many years of trail-kit testing under their belts so you can trust our kit reviews. JEN AND SIM BENSON The authors of Wild Running test the best kit for multi-day adventures (p84) and summer shorts (p88). ELSPETH TURNER Lifelong runner and racer Elspeth demands a lot from a shoe. She's tested eight pairs for summer runs, p90. MARC ABBOTT Marc has shielded his eyes from the sun, and stared at people without them realising while testing sunglasses, p82. PAUL LARKINS Trail Running supremo Paul has pulled together his pick of the latest – and potentially greatest – kit, starting below.…

Beachbody Intent Compression Women's Bra £45 From the outside, you can look all set for the race, from the inside you can feel confident, but if your sports bra isn't perfect, you're setting yourself up for miles of pain. More than three-quarters of women in Britain wear the wrong type of bra, with even more wearing the wrong size. Running causes your breasts to move in a figure of eight motion. This puts your Cooper’s ligaments – the thin collections of connective tissues that help support your breasts – under huge strain. Without the correct support, you’ll experience soreness and potentially lasting damage. Here are Beachbody's three buying tips to make sure you cover the miles in as much comfort as possible: 1 THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT Runners of all…

ULTIMATE DIRECTION FASTPACKHER 20 PACK £125 470g ultimatedirection.com The new women’s-specific FastpackHer range offers a well-thought-through solution to carrying larger loads. The roomy main compartment has a roll down top and is also accessible from a full-length side zip. There are good-sized stretchy back and side pockets for easy stashing, plus a range of pockets on the straps for on-the-go essentials. Verdict: Well-designed women’sspecific pack that’s ready for years of abuse. ICEBREAKER COOL-LITE SPHERE LONG SLEEVE LOW CREW £75 160g (size S) uk.icebreaker.com This great looking, lightweight and breathable top is comfortable enough to wear all day long, as a baselayer or on its own. Technically-advanced Cool-Lite fabric combines responsibly-sourced Merino wool for outstanding temperature regulation and odour control; wood pulp-derived Tencel for silky coolness; and a little Nylon for…

INOV-8 RACE ELITE 4” SHORT 100g (size 10) inov-8.com £45 Available in two colours, these shorts are incredibly light yet well-featured and comfortable. The wide waistband with external drawcord for adjustment and a discrete mesh inner keep them in place brilliantly. There’s also a good-sized zipped rear pocket, reflective detail and split design for freedom of movement. VERDICT Light, technical and comfy. Great for fast fell running. GORE R5 LIGHT SHORTS 95g (size 36) gorewear.com £45 These women's shorts are made from a super-lightweight fabric, while their split leg design provides great freedom of movement for races or everyday summer running. The comfortable, wide waistband and discrete inner keeps them in place, while extras include a good-sized zipped back pocket and reflective logo. VERDICT Great looks and fit for summer…

England and Wales’s 15 National Trails, and Scotland’s Great Trails, offer some of the best opportunities for running adventures. They’re usually well-signed, well-maintained and work in harmony with their surroundings. These are routes that have been well trodden, in some cases over thousands of years. As a result, they take in some of the country’s most intriguing natural features, such as the ridgelines and escarpments that would have provided safe passage during times of flood or unrest. The Pennine Way, crowned Britain’s first National Trail in 1965, follows England’s ‘backbone’ for 268 miles across three National Parks. Running 630 miles from Poole to Minehead, right around England’s south-west peninsula, the South West Coast Path is the longest. While the Ridgeway, between Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire and Avebury in Wiltshire, is…

DISTANCE ASCENT DIFFICULTY Traversing alongside the North Sea, this enjoyable, fast and flat route is perfect for nature lovers. It takes in multiple nature reserves, with chances of seeing many rare breed birds and wild deer. After your run, you can spend the rest of the day exploring and relaxing in this beautiful area, or refuel at one of the two great cafés en route (one in Walberswick and one at the start/finish in Dunwich) offering plenty of options for a slice of cake. If you’re short on time, but still want to see this stunning stretch of coast and heathland, this route can easily be shortened to 15km (9.3 miles). This run is perfect training for the Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series Suffolk event on October 19, 2019. With a…

DISTANCE ASCENT DIFFICULTY Opened in 1965, the Pennine Way was first of the National Trails in England and Wales. It starts in Edale, Derbyshire and traverses some of the UK’s finest uplands for 268 miles (431km) northward, finally reaching Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. The trail is steeped in running history, from Mike Hartley’s record run of 2 days, 17 hours and 20 minutes set in 1989 to this year’s epic Spine Race, conquered in style by the indomitable Jasmin Paris. Our route starts at Edale station at the southern end of the trail and runs north out of the Peak District to the station at Hebden Bridge. An ultra-distance station-to-station route, it offers superb running with relatively easy logistics. • Nick Osborne, Pennine National Trails Partnership Manager nationaltrail.co.uk/pennine-way…

DISTANCE ASCENT DIFFICULTY The Sarn Sabrina is a 25-mile (40km) circular waymarked route that can be run any time or undertaken as an annual organised challenge walk (or run). Named after the Celtic myth of Sabrina, a water nymph said to inhabit the waters of the River Severn, the route begins in the village of Llanidloes and follows Glyndwr’s Way up past the Van Pool and alongside Llyn Clywedog Reservoir to reach the source of the Severn at 620 metres. On its return trip it follows the Severn Way through Hafren Forest, meandering with the river all the way back to Llanidloes. There’s also a 12-mile (20km) option, the Semi-Sabrina. Full details for the Sarn Sabrina Challenge are available from sabrinawalk@llanidloes.com ■ Russ Coleman, local runner and campsite owner cledanvalley.co.uk…

GET THERE Trains to Fort William then Shiel Buses run seasonal trips up Glen Nevis (route No. N42). Scottish City Link coaches travel from Fort William south. Get off at the ski centre and follow the road north to the run. EAT HERE The Ben Nevis Inn (01397 701227) is closest to the Ring of Steall route and serves good food and beer. The iconic Clachaig Inn (01855 811252) at the northern end of Glencoe is a must-visit in its own right and serves great food and drink from an awesome location. Lots of other options in Fort William; try the Grog and Gruel pub (01397 705078) on the high street. SLEEP HERE Wild camp discreetly or stay at the Red Squirrel Campsite in northern Glencoe (redsquirrel campsite.co.uk). Bunkhouse accommodation…