The Great Barrow Challenge, held at the Suffolk Running Centre from 23 to 31 July, offers 10 days of running with distances from 5k to ultra. Each day features a different course, loop length, and either a 6- or 7-hour option. I took on two of the days: day 1 and day 5.
On day 1, I ran the Denham Flat course: an out-and-back 10k loop from the Suffolk Running Centre in Barrow to just outside Denham. I chose the ultra distance, to be completed within 6 hours.
Day 1
As the name suggests, it was a mostly flat road course, with just one incline on the return. The heat became more challenging as the day went on, but I kept my head down and pushed through. I finished 4.5 laps, totalling 29 miles in 5 hours 24 minutes. That earned me 5th place overall and 1st place among those who completed 4.5 laps.
Day 5
After running at the Heckington Show and getting some rest, I returned for day 5: Dalham Kiln and Goldings. This route used 13.1-mile loops that began on the Denham Flat course. I gave myself 7 hours for the ultra, and the earlier start made conditions much cooler.
After the 10k point, the route continued through Ousden and several villages lined with thatched cottages. The streams that would usually add the sound of running water were mostly dried up. At Dalham, we turned right by the kiln and headed up into the woods. It was a welcome change to leave the roads behind, although the route became more undulating and walking became a sensible option. Before long, I was back on the High Street in Barrow and heading towards the finish.
Thanks to the cooler start, I completed 2 laps plus the 10k, covering 33 miles in 6 hours 5 minutes. This gave me 2nd place overall and 1st place among runners completing the same distance.
There was also a familiar face for those of us who ran the Sandringham 24-hour event. Alex Marshall, 1st female at Sandringham and course record holder with 28 laps, was taking part. By day 5, she had already set course records for each day’s longest ultra distance. Her running was phenomenal, and I would not be surprised if she went on to take all 10 course records by the final day.