Event Report

Emily Gelder (Dulwich Runners) was a convincing winner as she became Wales latest Ultra UK Champion completing 28 laps of the 3.537km course around Boddington Manor in a superb time of 8hrs 15m 36s - the Great Britain qualifying standard time for the distance. Emily timed her run to perfection on the flat rural course in variable overcast/sunny conditions to beat her nearest challenger by over 35 minutes; and but for Emily stopping for a feast during the last few laps (she was too hungry to continue), the Welsh runner could have knocked another few minutes off her finishing time. Emily was our only female athlete competing.

The men also ran well to finish 2^nd team on the day behind England with their best points total for over fifteen years (25hrs 04m 42s). Eryri’s Iain Ridgway confirmed his status as our leading 100km athlete finishing 4^th as he set another PB for the distance with a time of 7hrs 35m 55s. Local Gloucester boy Jeremy Mower also did well, finishing 11^th with a PB time of 8hrs 25m 26s, while Sean McCormack (Abergele H), at his first attempt at the distance, did very well to finish 13^th in a time of 9hrs 03m 21s. Sean will learn from the experience and should substantially improve his time for the distance.

Overall, a successful day for Wales as our ultra athletes continue to set their standards high.

Arwel Lewis