Thanks:

A huge thanks to all those who have sent us messages of support and those who have sponsored us. We really appreciate it! Apologies to those we haven't thanked individually!

 

The Challenge:

To run 12 ultra-marathons in 2012. That means 12 events where after running a marathon we'll still have a long way to go. Just to make it a bit more challenging we thought we'd stay away from all those nice flat, tarmaced roads and hit some unconventional (and unfortunately generally more mountainous) events.

 

First event was the Moonlight Challenge on 3rd Feb 2012. This was a 53km race across marshes and farm tracks, at night on a track lit by glowsticks. It was -7C (-10C with windchill) and the snow storm hit about 4 hours in. For an idea of the weather see the official video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zl4tWB8_fY . Stats from the race: 92 Registered, 76 started (12 sensible people stayed in bed), 34finished, 2 emergency rescues. Our position = 5th. Our time = 5 hours 12 minutes. Pain in legs = Very high.  

 

Second race was the Wicklow Way Ultra in Ireland on 24 March. 51km mountain run across and back over the Wicklow mountains hitting 5 mountains in each half of the race and climbing over 2,000 metres. A race classified by the Irish Mountain Running Association as "Extreme" and given a difficult rating of 10/10. Our time: 5 hours, 44 minutes (which did include a extra 1 1/2 miles through gorse and other tracks as we got a bit lost!)

 

Third race was the Exmoor Ultra in Devon, a race that is regarded as the toughest of all the coastal runs in the UK, a run that would have 6,521 feet of vertical climbing over rough paths, heather and rocks, a race where the AVERAGE time for men in 2011 was 6 hours and 45 minutes! A sadistic route with 35  miles of climbing and descending with virtually no flat ground. From cliff top to sea level every ten or fifteen minutes. Incredible scenery and incredibly tough. Our time 6 hours and 2 minutes and 15th position. 

 

Fourth race was the Team Townend Pushbike Challenge, a 64km bike race through the Lake District completed without the aid of a bike! 40 miles over three category 5 climbs and three category 3 climbs all on foot while the other competitors whizzed past on their wheels. Our longest and furthest race to date completed in a time 6 hours and 50 minutes

 

Fifth race was the Northamptons Ultra. Conviently timed on one of the hottest days of the year this 35 mile ultra was properly cross-country on a route that took us through fields of sheep, across meadows, over hills, through hedges and across onion farms. Oh and we were relying on our own navigation skills to get there...hence probably did an extra few miles. 6 hours, 31 minutes and a very impressive start to Chris's Ultra-marathon running career!

 

Sixth race was CQ44, a 71km (44mile) run from the most southerly point on mainland England to the most westerly point, all on 3 hours sleep! A 4am bus, a 6.30am start, a rolled ankle, beautiful scenery, many hills, far too many steps, a man with a burger, a few beaches, many climbs and descents, a wrong turn or two...this race had it all. 8 hours, 55 minutes and 26th place. Longest and toughest race yet!

 

Seventh race was Ultra Race Peaks, a fun-filled 40 mile race through the Peak District. Chris returned from a broken foot (suffered in last ultra) to bash out 40 miles in the roasting sunshine. The usual stuff of running through fields of corn, across rolling green hills, bounding through fields of long grass, a hill or two and, of course, a little bit of getting lost. All done after 64,562 steps and 7 hours, 30 minutes.

 

Eight race was Dingle Ultra-Marathon, a whopping 50 mile (80km) run across Ireland's highest mountain pass and around the rugged Dingle pennisula. A lot of climbing, a little bit of vomiting, a long, long lonely road, some great family support, a few very determined competitors and an interview at the end. Our longest ultra to date: More miles, more fun! Our time: 8 hours, 30 mins.

 

Ninth race was Pembrokeshire Ultra, an incredibly muddy and slippy 35 miles around the Welsh coast. Mark crashed into a hedge, Kev nearly disappeared off the edge, we both hit the deck and we finished with mud everywhere. A pleasing 5th place in 5 hours, 55 minutes.

 

Tenth race was Gower Ultra, a 34 mile run across sand, rock, mud and grass. With over 4,500ft of climbs, mud everywhere, stinging rain and a final 3 miles across an actual bog this was quite a challenge with 50% of those registered not finishing. But thanks to some reckless descending and plenty of determination we finished in 6 hours, 6 minutes and our highest ever placing of third!

 

Eleventh race was Brecon Beacons Ultra (Winter) an epic 42 miles (46 after we got lost) race across the Brecon Beacons climbing  considerably more than Snowden in temperatures of below freezing. Full of climbs, descents, rough trails, bog sections, and with an unassisted river crossing this was a race for battle-hardened ultra runners. After 46 miles and a sprint finish we came in 8 hours, 45 minutes and 19th out of 112 finishers.

 

The twelfth and final race was the Shannon Christmas Run - a self-styled, home-drawn course that took us over and back the Wicklow Mountains with some 6,500 feet of ascent and finishing at Ireland's highest pub. With Chris back for the full 36 miles and 7 other brave souls running the last 16 miles home with us this was a truly fantastic way to finish the challenge. After 6 hours 40 minutes of running we deserved that Guinness!  

 

Summary:

Total Distance of Races: 459 miles (738 km)

Training Distance: Over 1,500 miles (2,500 km)

Weekly equivalent of over a marathon a week.

 

Why?:

Why not? We are doing this for fun believe it or not and to challenge ourselves and do something a little bit different. Who knows if we'll make it, but we'll sure give it a good go. 

Because of this there is no obligation to sponsor us, we are not doing it to raise money, just for pure egotistical selfish reasons! BUT we thought if we can raise some money for two great causes as we go then that would be a bonus. In return for your spare cash we will keep you fully updated on our plans, adventures, pains, injuries, successes and failures as we go!

 

The Participants:

Mark " The Metronome" Shannon 

Kevin "El Gallo Blanco" Shannon

Chris "Ed Sheeran" Shannon

 

You? We welcome and would love anyone who is interested in joining us on any or all of our adventures. I know there is some seriously good and keen runners out there so if you fancy a challenge let us know! 

 

The Charities:

Cancer Research UK

Football Action

 

(You can choose which charity to donate to depending on your preference-just follow the link to the correct page)

 

Updates:

Come join our facebook group where we have full race reports, random updates and photos!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/shannon2012challenge/