On Saturday 14th June 2014 at 6 o' clock in the morning 4 intrepid brt members began a formidable task. The SDW100 is a point to point race from Winchester to Eastbourne and as the title suggests covers 100 miles of the South Downs Way.
All competitors finishing in under 30 hours receive a Centurion belt buckle, those managing all 100 miles in under 24 hours receive a special 100 miles one day buckle (as pictured).
Our competitors: Tim Cox and Susie Casebourne who completed the event last year, Alan Bennett, attempting to complete the course this year after valiantly completing 67 miles last year and Dave Palmer in only his 2nd Ultra event.
An Ultra is classed as a distance of more than 26.2 miles. Overcoming such an arduous event becomes just as much a mental battle as a physical one. Training for such an event is no mean feat together with overcoming niggling injuries and planning the right nutrition.
On the day Susie had to make the momentous decision to pull out of the race after 10 hours of running and 54 miles covered. Sometimes this is the bravest, hardest thing to do but also the most sensible especially as Susie went into the event with an injury.
Tim Cox was the first of the clubs finishers in an amazing time of 22:55:42 even though he took a wrong turn at one point. The event allows competitors a support runner after the 50 mile checkpoint, invaluable help in keeping the moral and spirits up. Tim elected to test his resolve and opted to 'go it alone'.
David Palmer showed strength throughout the event and with Tyler Parry as support runner finished in a time of 25:5508. An amazing first 100 for Dave.
Alan Bennett completed the event in a time of 28:06:30 and has written an inspirational account of his physical and mental challenge here. His support runner was fellow club member Jon Fielden.
Below is a list of quotes from our competitors, family, support crews & friends.
"Thank you everyone but it was not a solo effort, I would not have been able to do it without the support of Pip and Tyler they were amazing."
"Very pleased with how I ran, how I managed myself and what I achieved with no pacers and no support crew. Not everything went to plan but as you know in a 100 miles it seldom does, especially not with hills and heat When it was going wrong I just kept telling myself " it doesn't always keep getting worse", There were not many moments when I wasn't smiling or enjoying myself . A few more valuable learnings and lots of positives to take away. But most importantly - just a fantastic day out."
"Mimi Anderson presenting the buckle - amazing woman just google her and see what she has achieved as an ultra runner !"
(Link to article on Mimi http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/the-grandmother-of-all-ultra-runners-8831889.html)
"The final run into Eastbourne was powered by the only fuel source I had left - monumental bloody mindedness
I have so many wonderful memories of the last 36 hours, but they are currently all jumbled up in a massive bundle of excitement, emotion and sleep deprivation!"
"I would like to thank everyone for their kind messages of support and encouragement during this weekends SDW100 race. It's this level of support that helps to drive you through the difficult times on the race, and there are plenty of them across 100 miles of running!
Most of all I would like to thank my crew, without who, this success would not have happened. The commitment, determination, kindness and (ruthless) efficient shown throughout the event would make the content of a textbook "How to crew a 100 mile ultra".
"Well Alan, you promised me epic and you certainly delivered on your promise. We had charging bullocks, a charging cow, a randy bull (there's a theme emerging!), vast amounts of burping and farting, hills, amazing support and ultimately a 100 mile finish and a belt buckle for you.
That was without doubt one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. 46 miles pacing along the South Downs Way in the SDW100 that went across two days.
James, Teresa and Natasha were the support crew of the century. Around every four miles they were there to help refuel us and keep us moving towards the promised land of Eastbourne.
I am so proud of you Alan and what you have accomplished here. After last year's DNF to come back and do this was just incredibly inspiring. It was a pleasure and an honour to play a small part in your triumph.
It truly was epic. Well done."
"I know I often bang on about how lucky I am to have such inspiring friends. Well, Alan, I could not be more inspired and proud of you, not just today, but everything you have done to make today possible. I know just how much went into it and seeing you cross that line was simply amazing. It has been such an immense privilege to be part of your crew, one that I will never, ever forget. Thank you for letting me be part of the epic Team GUC.
You have to really get on with people well to spend countless hours in a car driving around deepest darkest Sussex looking after two runners! Thankfully I got to spend an amazing day and night with two of my very favourite peopleTeresa and James and we will no doubt spend many moments over the years ahead recalling the fun we had! Baaaaa! Seriously though, you both did such an amazing job of supporting Alan.
I have been with Jon for over 17 years, but can't actually remember a day when I was more proud of him. It was amazing to see him more excited and determined to help pace Alan the last 46 miles than he has ever been about one of his own races. He has looked forward to this day for months and I know, despite his tough Yorkshire exterior, he was the first one to shed a tear!
Our club rocks! It was so wonderful to be able to relay everyone's messages to Alan throughout the race and for such a big group of us to be at the finish waving our unicorn cat posters like a bunch of crazy people!
Massive congratulations to our other two BRT centurions Tim and David. Just brilliant! And hugs to Susie who will undoubtedly be back even stronger very soon.
Right, pizza time! "
"Currently icing my feet and laying in bed about to have a long cold beer for fathers day. Thank you to everyone for all the support, motivation and encouragement over the course of yesterday and through to today. Your kind words and humour help immensely with coping with the mental battle of such an event. I am extremely pleased with what I achieved even with the mistakes I made 😯. A huge well done to Alan Bennett, and David Palmer for your outstanding achievements,very well deserved. And also recognition to Susie Casebourne for making the right decision to pull out when she did (often the harder decision to make). MUCHOS GRACIAS AMIGOS "
All competitors finishing in under 30 hours receive a Centurion belt buckle, those managing all 100 miles in under 24 hours receive a special 100 miles one day buckle (as pictured).
Our competitors: Tim Cox and Susie Casebourne who completed the event last year, Alan Bennett, attempting to complete the course this year after valiantly completing 67 miles last year and Dave Palmer in only his 2nd Ultra event.
An Ultra is classed as a distance of more than 26.2 miles. Overcoming such an arduous event becomes just as much a mental battle as a physical one. Training for such an event is no mean feat together with overcoming niggling injuries and planning the right nutrition.
On the day Susie had to make the momentous decision to pull out of the race after 10 hours of running and 54 miles covered. Sometimes this is the bravest, hardest thing to do but also the most sensible especially as Susie went into the event with an injury.
Tim Cox was the first of the clubs finishers in an amazing time of 22:55:42 even though he took a wrong turn at one point. The event allows competitors a support runner after the 50 mile checkpoint, invaluable help in keeping the moral and spirits up. Tim elected to test his resolve and opted to 'go it alone'.
David Palmer showed strength throughout the event and with Tyler Parry as support runner finished in a time of 25:5508. An amazing first 100 for Dave.
Alan Bennett completed the event in a time of 28:06:30 and has written an inspirational account of his physical and mental challenge here. His support runner was fellow club member Jon Fielden.
Below is a list of quotes from our competitors, family, support crews & friends.
"Thank you everyone but it was not a solo effort, I would not have been able to do it without the support of Pip and Tyler they were amazing."
"Very pleased with how I ran, how I managed myself and what I achieved with no pacers and no support crew. Not everything went to plan but as you know in a 100 miles it seldom does, especially not with hills and heat When it was going wrong I just kept telling myself " it doesn't always keep getting worse", There were not many moments when I wasn't smiling or enjoying myself . A few more valuable learnings and lots of positives to take away. But most importantly - just a fantastic day out."
"Mimi Anderson presenting the buckle - amazing woman just google her and see what she has achieved as an ultra runner !"
(Link to article on Mimi http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/the-grandmother-of-all-ultra-runners-8831889.html)
"The final run into Eastbourne was powered by the only fuel source I had left - monumental bloody mindedness
I have so many wonderful memories of the last 36 hours, but they are currently all jumbled up in a massive bundle of excitement, emotion and sleep deprivation!"
"I would like to thank everyone for their kind messages of support and encouragement during this weekends SDW100 race. It's this level of support that helps to drive you through the difficult times on the race, and there are plenty of them across 100 miles of running!
Most of all I would like to thank my crew, without who, this success would not have happened. The commitment, determination, kindness and (ruthless) efficient shown throughout the event would make the content of a textbook "How to crew a 100 mile ultra".
"Well Alan, you promised me epic and you certainly delivered on your promise. We had charging bullocks, a charging cow, a randy bull (there's a theme emerging!), vast amounts of burping and farting, hills, amazing support and ultimately a 100 mile finish and a belt buckle for you.
That was without doubt one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. 46 miles pacing along the South Downs Way in the SDW100 that went across two days.
James, Teresa and Natasha were the support crew of the century. Around every four miles they were there to help refuel us and keep us moving towards the promised land of Eastbourne.
I am so proud of you Alan and what you have accomplished here. After last year's DNF to come back and do this was just incredibly inspiring. It was a pleasure and an honour to play a small part in your triumph.
It truly was epic. Well done."
"I know I often bang on about how lucky I am to have such inspiring friends. Well, Alan, I could not be more inspired and proud of you, not just today, but everything you have done to make today possible. I know just how much went into it and seeing you cross that line was simply amazing. It has been such an immense privilege to be part of your crew, one that I will never, ever forget. Thank you for letting me be part of the epic Team GUC.
You have to really get on with people well to spend countless hours in a car driving around deepest darkest Sussex looking after two runners! Thankfully I got to spend an amazing day and night with two of my very favourite peopleTeresa and James and we will no doubt spend many moments over the years ahead recalling the fun we had! Baaaaa! Seriously though, you both did such an amazing job of supporting Alan.
I have been with Jon for over 17 years, but can't actually remember a day when I was more proud of him. It was amazing to see him more excited and determined to help pace Alan the last 46 miles than he has ever been about one of his own races. He has looked forward to this day for months and I know, despite his tough Yorkshire exterior, he was the first one to shed a tear!
Our club rocks! It was so wonderful to be able to relay everyone's messages to Alan throughout the race and for such a big group of us to be at the finish waving our unicorn cat posters like a bunch of crazy people!
Massive congratulations to our other two BRT centurions Tim and David. Just brilliant! And hugs to Susie who will undoubtedly be back even stronger very soon.
Right, pizza time! "
"Currently icing my feet and laying in bed about to have a long cold beer for fathers day. Thank you to everyone for all the support, motivation and encouragement over the course of yesterday and through to today. Your kind words and humour help immensely with coping with the mental battle of such an event. I am extremely pleased with what I achieved even with the mistakes I made 😯. A huge well done to Alan Bennett, and David Palmer for your outstanding achievements,very well deserved. And also recognition to Susie Casebourne for making the right decision to pull out when she did (often the harder decision to make). MUCHOS GRACIAS AMIGOS "