When Sidmouth Running Club’s Louise Dalton collected her number for UTMB’s Arc Of Attrition 50 in Cornwall on Friday evening she knew she had a tough day ahead of her. Billed as running through picturesque villages and secluded coves to rugged and unforgiving terrain where you tackle some of Cornwall’s finest coastal trails in tough and unpredictable wintery conditions, this event is not for the faint hearted! Louise certainly experienced the unpredictable conditions as Storm Ingrid hit the coastline making running a mission in itself, never mind trying to stay upright. Louise had to keep her nerve on the coastal paths as the waves shook the cliffs and the wind whipped up the driving rain. Time and again she had to pick herself up off the rocky ground, grit her teeth, swear a little bit and forge forwards. The Mighty Green finished in 12:51:43, 173rd out of a field of 601 runners, 7th in her age category and when you note 165 did not finish, Louise definitely dug deep and dealt with all that was thrown at her with aplomb!
Closer to home a posse of MG’s took part in Honiton Running Club’s Blackdown Beast; a 10.5 mile or 18 mile off road event. This fundraising, social, non-competitive run was dubbed the beastliest yet due to Storm Ingrid creating deep mud and challenging windy conditions. It was Ella Fletcher’s first event since joining the club and she certainly showed her Mighty Green colours; she had an amazing time, relishing the mud and water!
