ATD Director Steve Clark is an ultra runner junkie! He likes nothing better than to take off with his dog for lengthy runs in and around Somerset. Having completed the London and Edinburgh marathons he took on the MDS. After these challenges he wanted something different so he set up our portfolio ofadventure races. Including the Namibia 24 hour Ultra Marathon,the Iceland Laugavegur Ultra and theGrand Canyon 24 hour Ultra.
It is hoped that this article will give the first time ultra marathon runner some pointers about how to approach a training programme for their first race. Because the prospect of completing an ultra is so daunting, many runners set an unrealistic training programme that involves too much training too soon. This will more often than not lead to an early injury that prevents the runner from training.
ATD Director Mark Hannaford has just returned back from the Iceland Laugavegur Ultra Marathon a beautiful course stretching from Landmannalaugar in the highlands to Thorsmörk, a natural conservation area.
The adventure race blazes a trail through moss fields, meadows of wool grass, steam springs, and bizarre lava formations where various blossoms defy the raw climate.
Do not be fooled by the iconic beauty of this mountain marathon course. This is a tough mountain adventure challenge and having a good race plan is essential. It’s a 55km race that is multi terrain (sand, gravel, grass, snow, ice, rivers and streams). It’s a beautiful run and to top it all off – after the race you get to spend the morning at the http://www.bluelagoon.com – just what’s needed for those tired muscles.
Our team are in the process of returning home from the Iceland Ultra Marathonbut we have the results and the whole team finished
Alan Wood – 83rd – 6:33 ( 3rd in the 18-29 age group)
Tom Black – 133rd – 7:00 (6th in the 18-29 age group)
Alex Beard – 151st – 7:11
Ed Hubbard – 162nd – 7:20 (10th in the 18-29 age group)
Neil Turner – 171st – 7:23
Sara Zoeftig – 220nd – 7:56
Richard Steel – 221st – 7:56
Joanne Venus – 246th – 8:24
Simon Bright – 267th – 9:19
Why not join us in 2011? It’s 55km and is multi terrain (sand, gravel, grass, snow, ice, rivers and streams) . It’s a beautiful run and to top it all off – after the race you get to spend the morning at the Blue Lagoon Spa - just what’s needed for those tired muscles.
The first thing that people ask me with when I talk about running ultra marathons is why I do it? Most just cannot comprehend why anyone would enjoy such a sport. This is not an easy question to answer because let’s face it, running further than a marathon is a very painful experience and hardly what most people would class as a fun day out.
On a very basic level marathons just don’t do it for me. I have only ever run two, the London and Edinburgh marathons, and whilst both are great events, I had no desire to run another. All I was ever going to do was try and beat my own time by training harder and quite frankly I think that there is a whole lot more to life than running.
Here at ATD we aim to offer you the best experience but also the best advice and tips. We had a little think about what items of kit were essential if you were planning an overseas trip…. this is what we came up with
Kobus Alberts works for our partner company in Namibia, Wild at Heart Safaris, andin May 2010 he took part in the Namibia Ultra Marathon. 126km in 24 hours – that’s 3 marathons! Kobus writes about his experience, through the race, the highs and lows it’s a great read…
This is the best run event of its kind I have ever experienced. A very tight team of highly organised, highly motivated and thoroughly professional leaders who made the event so enjoyable and safe. Well done to all your team for a truly great experience.John Peck, from Essex, 2010 competitor.
Thank you for an amazing week. The organisation was great and I fear no other race in my future will love up to this one in Namibia. Best wishes.Angela Landers, from Washington USA, 2010 competitor
Absolutely amazing experience thanks to the support from a great team. I could not have picked a better company or destination for my first ultra marathon.. It was the hardest but most wonderful challenge I have done and I can’t believe I am already planning my next – I only wonder why it took me so long before I did my first. Thank you all very much Tanya Irvine, from London, 2010 competitor.
Tom Adams wins the Ultra Marathon in a record time of 14 hours and 1 minute
Alex Ikonikov comes second
Ali O’Donovan is third (female)
Angela Landers wins theMarathon in a record time of just over 5 hours
All the competitors are safe and sound and are now on their way back to Swakopmund… as soon as we have the full race update later this afternoon, on who finished where and positions we’ll let you know.
126km – 3 marathons – in 24 hours. This is the 3rd successful year of the Namibia 24 hour Ultra Marathon, which is rapidly becoming known as the ultimate endurance test for distance runners.
