ONER
(78.6 miles)

16th-17th April 2011

 

Official Result

Richard Beard 21.13.00

The stunning Dorset Jurassic Coast was the setting for V0Two’s ONER – 78.6 mostly 'undulating' miles along the Dorset Coast Path from Studland to Charmouth  via Portland Bill.  Race director Ben’s briefing included the encouraging prediction that only 50% of us were expected to arrive at the finish – not far off as it turned out.

At 6.25 Saturday evening we were off across the sands of Studland Bay. Clear, skies, a rising full moon and gentle breeze promised perfect conditions for the night ahead.  The initial climb over Ballard Down to Swanage gave just a hint of the ‘fun’ to come.  A group of runners ahead missed a path junction and had to retrace their route – careful navigation was key to avoiding lost time and extra added miles.

Highlights of the day included: The often brutal roller coaster of ups and downs for about 25k from St Aldhelm’s Head to Ringstead – soon followed by 13k nearly dead flat through Weymouth  (taking in the 3am nightlife!) and on to Portland.

Some intricate navigation through the quarries of Portland as dawn broke heralding the arrival of a hot day for the second half of the race.  Not long into the third marathon of the day fatigue really started to set in and anything not actually heading downhill was taken at a walk

The arrival at the top of Golden Cap (the sting in the tail) – time for a pause to admire the views all around before legs were forced into a final jog down to the finish and the  applause and congratulations of those lazing by the beach in the sun.

Richard

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