Dartmoor Discovery Ultra Marathon, 2013
A BATs Biased Race Report
A BATs Biased Race Report
The day dawned and what an exciting & exhilarating, yet exhausting, day for all it turned out to be. Bere Alston Trekkers [BATs] had, I thought, only one entry into this years race- Rebecca Mingo. Injured last year, Rebecca had a point to prove this year and she made it in style. 2nd Women home. 10th Overall. Best placed female newcomer.
In the absence of any other club runners [John Eatley also ran . but i didn't know this until the day!] I had promised Rebecca that I would be cycle support this year for her. Getting up early on a beautifully sunny June day, I think I was almost as nervous as Rebecca was. My day commenced with a 19km uphill cycle from Bere Alston up to Princetown where breakfast awaited at Fox Tor Cafe . After gorging myself on a hearty veggie fry up [courtesy of Paul Mingo] I was now fortified for the days main event- The Dartmoor Discovery . Now I ran this event last year, so I appreciate how tough it can be. This year I was purely motivational support in form of cycle accompaniment. I was expecting a strong showing from Rebecca- and I wasn't to be disappointed!
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| Proud finisher of 2012 DD |
The first Dartmoor Discovery in 1998 and has since gone from strength to strength. It is the largest single lap ultra in the country and very well organised and supported. This is in no small part due to Roger Hayes of Teignbridge Trotters, race director, and as of Saturday, a runner of 100 marathons. Well done Roger. The sun was up, the crowds were ready and the runners psyched. Race On!
 Start 2013 DD |
Rebecca made a cracking start- and maintained that pace for the remaining 32 miles. Any notions I had of a steady day in the saddle were soon squashed! Despite a stiff cool breeze, clear blue skies and sun prevailed. But it was the hills that were the real energy sapper. 32 miles over a course of Princetown- Two Bridges- Dartmeet- Asburton- Buckland- Widecombe- Postbridge-Princetown is a pretty demanding course and the pain increases with every step. Due to the good weather the crowds were out in force, especially at the top of the climbs, and the marshals were cheerful and in fine form as ever. If the hills were taking their toll on the runners- they also hurt those cycling. I was never going to be cycling alongside runners all the way as that is against race rules- but I never expected to be overtaken going uphill by runners. But enough about me! By Widecombe I was glad of the short cut and had a well earned rest and a very civilised chat with a marshal. I was even offered a piece of cake [thank you marshal and his friend]. Due to Rebecca's blistering pace my rest was short lived and I had to eat my piece of Victoria Sponge quicker than I wanted to before jumping back on my bike and chasing after her. At this point, Rebecca was 3rd women and 11th overall, and still looking so strong.
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| What do you expect on Dartmoor roads! |
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| 3:35 marathon. Respectable in it'sown right |
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Final stretch |
By marathon distance, an incredibly respectable 3hrs 35mins was recorded- only another 6 miles to go. C'mon Rebecca! Between Postbridge and Princetown Rebecca managed to close down and overtake the 3rd placed women, gaining 2nd women overall.
It was now time for me to try to get to the finish before Rebecca - which I just about manged. A time of 4hrs 30mns. Spectacular - but there was also the equally important matter of cheering the other runners in.
Now it was time for a celebratory pint of beer- or two- before the presentations. Oh, and then then the cycle home.....
All that remains is to say a huge huge well done to all who ran, a big thank you and well done to teignbridgetrotters for organising such a brilliant event, to all the marshals [especially the one who gave me cake!] and the great support that all runners got around the course.
Maybe next year I will run it again ?!
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