Chris runs ultras

2024 – The “toughest race in the world” and consitency

This was a special year. I completed the Marathon des Sables, and 6 other ultra races, including 5 100 km races in close succession, all in respectable times, and without getting injured. This year I felt like I truly “arrived,” but I want to be sure it wasn’t a fluke, and my passion for the sport is only increasing. I want to prove to myself, I can keep up the cadence and push my body and mind further into the unknown in the coming years.

These are the races I completed:

★ March – The North Downs Ridge 50k @freedom__racing
★ April – Marathon des Sables 253k @mdslegendary
★ May – Brighton Backyard Ultra 107k @brightonbackyardultra
★ May – London to Brighton 100k @ultrachallenges
★ July – Serpent trail 100k @freedom__racing
★ August – SVP100 @svp100ultra
★ September – Yorkshire 3 Peaks 100k @stuwestfield_rangerexpeditions

2025 – Be consistent and build

Partly a continuation of 2024, but also an opportunity to tick off yet more popular 100 km races, mostly within the UK, but also in Europe. I want this year to be a second year of consistently completing 100 km races regularly, while maintaining a high level of fitness without getting injured. The later months of this year will be spent building into the first 100-mile race of 2026.

2026 – A Centurion year

This will be my first year of running 100-mile races. Hopefully, starting with the Arc of Attrition, followed by the Centurion “Grand Slam” of 4 100-mile races, and ending with the Centurion Winter Downs (100 miles). So, hopefully, 6 100-mile races in my first year of 100-mile distance races.

2027 – Run very far a few times

This might hopefully be the year I truly push the edge of my endurance limits. I’d like to try a few of the very long races, with a few shorter ones in between. Some races I’m considering are: Grand Union Canal (147 miles), Spartathlon (153 miles), Viking Way ultra (147 miles), The Spine Challenger South (108 miles).

Hopefully, this will be the year I truly push the edge of my endurance limits. I’d like to try a few of the very long races, with a few shorter ones in between. Some races I’m considering are: Grand Union Canal (147 miles), Spartathlon (153 miles), Viking Way Ultra (147 miles), The Spine Challenger South (108 miles).

Bucket list

These are some races I have been keeping an eye on. If the next couple of years go well, I may seriously consider trying to enter these races. Some are invitation-only, and some have very strict application criteria, which may take me years to achieve.

In no particular order:

• The Summer Spine (268 miles)
• The Dragons back (370 km)
• Badwater 135 (135 miles)
• The Northern Traverse (300 km)
• UTMB (100 miles)
• Tor Des Géants (330 km)

I occassionally think about going back to the desert one day, maybe…