The Ox Ultra Marathon
(37miles)

24th May
2015

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Official Results

Ian Hammett 4.42.26 2nd Man

Race Report:

 
Having been inspired by my fellow harriers tales of cake, countryside, and hills, I decided that this year I would delve into the unknown territory of Ultra Marathon running and experience for myself what everyone had been talking about. This meant setting myself some new challenges and part of those saw me sign up for the supposedly 35 mile Ultra Marathon on the Rushmore Estate in Wiltshire called 'The Ox'.

Advertised as a tough hilly ultra, that was signposted (didn't fancy self navigation on a 1st attempt) and serviced by plentiful aid stations I decided to give it a go. However as the day arrived I was beginning to wonder what I had let myself in for... Rumors were rife that there was at least 6000ft of elevation (thankfully there was only 3500ft) and that it was going to be 36 ish miles long (was actually 37 in the end), which did little to settle the nerves.

I was chauffeur driven to the start by my Dad, who decided to come and support me and we arrived on a misty morning in the middle of the Wiltshire Countryside surrounded by Sheep and Campers beginning to stir before registration. Number and Chip were collected and a free Clif Bar was picked up, Dad ate a Bacon Roll for me (pre race fuelling) and then as the mist began to clear revealing the glorious hills that were in store for us I packed my kit bag, donned my Harriers vest and prepared to give it my best shot.

A jovial race briefing took place at 0815, basically to tell us not to pick fights with any tractors or Combine Harvesters, to respect the countryside and be polite to the Marshalls. Then without further ado we were casually ushered onto the start line and at 0830 we set off into the unknown. The first 10km was through some pleasant woods and on forest tracks with some downhill stretches giving you false sense of security. As the saying goes if there is downhill then there must be uphill and we gradually started to climb out into the Wiltshire Countryside. I settled into a steady pace (having been advised to not go off too fast) and one of the highlights of the day occurred when I jogged past one runner and he asked me 'if I had missed the start'... I looked at him quizzically thinking no more of it, chuckling to myself for his joviality. 

The Hills were slowing people down and it wasn't long before I had passed those around me and was isolated in the beautiful countryside enjoying the spectacular views towards Salisbury plain. Little did I know that after passing someone at 6 miles that was the last person I was going to see other than Marshall's and the occasional spectator until Mile 28. 

The route was amazingly well signposted, so was impossible to go wrong, and thankfully unlike last year apparently none of the arrows had been tampered with. The terrain changed from forest tracks, to gravel tracks, then country lanes and then back into some fields, with very little on any busy roads, making for one of the most peaceful and enjoyable events I have ever taken part in. The Hills were a challenge in the first half of the race but were more long steady drags than steep soul destroying inclines so I was able to maintain a good pace.

At one point some spectators yelled to me that I was in 2nd place (much to my disbelief) and I spent several miles thinking there was no way that only 1 person was ahead of me and that they must have missed the others, but at 18 miles a Marshall told me that the leader was 9 minutes ahead of me and I shouted hopefully ' I bet he looked really knackered though didn't he?!?' to which the Marshall replied with a laugh 'Oh yeah he was on his hands and knees mate!!'

Ever hopeful I decided that consolidation was the key and thanks to some sound advice from Harriers who have experienced Ultra's before I was regularly fuelling and taking on board fluids. At mile 21 came the 1st really tough hill and I had to have a little walk.. partly because of the hill and partly because a Combine Harvester was coming down the track and I had to almost dive into the stinging nettles to avoid the monster truck. After climbing the big hill I was now on a forestry commission track along the ridge and we were to follow this undulating path for 7 miles before joining up with the Marathon and Half Marathon Runners who had set off at 0930 and 1030 respectively.

Joining back up with the other races was an absolute godsend as after 22 miles of solo running it was good to have some banter and support with my fellow runners who were all very encouraging and I tried to be encouraging back to them as those last 8 miles were going to be tough for us all. They included the two other hills that I had to walk up, including the one to the highest point in the course, just what you want after 30 miles of running!! It was steep and through the forest on a slippery mud track, so you couldn't of run if you'd wanted too, and with motivational signs like 'your paying for this lol' and 'still think this was a good idea' determination kicked in and the sign 'cake ahead' spurred you on!! 

Having climbed the hill and descended the other side.. without cake I might add.. my legs were a little tired and it was at this point I decided to make the race more interesting with a commando style roll using only my water bottle and pack for a crash mat on a stony path!! Thankfully to cause the biggest level of embarrassment possible I managed to also take the tumble not 30m from an aid station, having tripped on a large stone jutting out of the path.. thankfully I styled the fall as best I could and sprang up running off up the next slope shouting 'I'm ok'

One thing about this event was that the aid stations didn't quite seem to be where they'd said they'd be so I was glad that I carried my own fuel, but that also meant I began to doubt how far I had left to go as my Garmin was showing I was at 35 miles and yet I was convinced that I still had 3 or 4 miles to go!! This led to a little bit of having to dig deep and negotiate with the legs to keep me going, however I did start to think.. 'where is this Finish line!!' 

Thankfully there was a lovely long downhill stretch after the last aid station and as we rounded a tight corner the Marshall shouted that 'Bedford was proud of me' not sure how he knew, and more importantly he informed me 'there was only a mile to go'... he neglected to mention the third whopping great hill that we'd have to climb before reaching said finish, and this hill once again reduced everyone to a walk including the Marathon and Half Marathon runners that I was in amongst. One lady said to me 'apparently you don't feel so much pain if you swear' to which I replied 'start swearing your head off then girl' and before we knew it, we were at the top of the hill and it dawned on me that the cars and campsite up ahead were the finish. I told my legs to run again and they obliged so I could jog into the finish, where my dad had thankfully got there early (was we'd thought I'd be about 6 hours) to cheer me across the line in an unbelievable 2nd place!!! 

It also turns out that the winner had only been back 3 minutes.... So if I hadn't decided to take a tumble and then stop and tie both shoe laces as well I may even have got closer to him. He smashed the course record by 38 mins and was a 2:30 marathon runner so no shame there. I was awarded a lovely framed certificate and given a bottle of home brewed Cranborne Chase Cider (I don't drink!) for my efforts, but the best part was having Dad there to support because he could drive me home!!!

Before heading off, I sampled the local cuisine from the Street food vans in the athletes 'village' in the form of a slice of pizza and some arancini and then some frozen yoghurt!! I didn't partake in the cider!

All in all it was a fantastic event, well organised but laid back and wonderful scenery. The course was challenging but by no means impossible and I found it perfect for my first foray into Ultra Running... who knows I may even be back for more!!

Ian