Grantham Running Club was represented by three runners at this year’s Bullock Smithy Ultra Marathon. The event, which begins at noon with the clang of the Smithy’s hammer on the anvil at Hazel Grove, South Manchester follows a 94.34km circular route over exposed terrain in the Peak District National Park.
Participants are required to visit 13 checkpoints including climbs over Edale Cross, Hollins Cross and Chinley Churn. This was the 49th time the event has been staged and experienced ultra runner Paul Rushworth has crossed the finish line in over half of them, missing the event only for the Covid pandemic and a one off trip to compete in the K42 mountain marathon in Chile.
The total elevation is 9,153 feet (2,790 metres), runners self-navigate between checkpoints. The conditions on the day were better for the walkers than the runners, despite dry underfoot conditions and cloud covering the direct sunlight the temperature was still in the 20’s which takes its toll eventually.
The night sections were illuminated by a full moon, often negating the need for a head torch in the final sections. Paul, aiming to match last year’s top 20 finish managed to find a better groove than some of those in front of him as night fell and his course knowledge came into play to move up the field and secure 11th place in 12 hours and 33 minutes.
He was joined on the run by another couple of experienced off road warriors, Ben Hatherley had six previous completions under his belt but was hampered in training with a knee injury forcing him to reduce his summer mileage and Ben Mason, who in addition to his five completions is like Rushie, one of the select band who has completed the LDWA 100 within the time limit.
Although Ben Mason had been able to manage a full block of training in the build up he had the bad luck to start to feel ill just after Edale and had to dig deep keep going. He paid thanks to all the marshals not only for their encouragement and jelly babies but for the Disco experience at the at the Chemorton checkpoint in the small hours and for a “full blown children’s birthday party” at Cumberland Cottage.
Both Bens crossed the line together in 14 hours 53 minutes. Next year, all 3 hope to improve their times during the 50th anniversary of the event.
Picture (Left to right) Ben Hatherley, Ben Mason and Paul Rushworth
