LUNA-tic MARATHON


Sussex Trail Events host their third river series marathon tonight starting at 8pm in Shoreham. The trail route takes the Downslink then the river bank along the River Adur, making three loops in total using the footbridge and then the bridge at Bramber. Once back at the footbridge the route is diverted on the road passing the airport, before heading back to the Shoreham recreation ground for the finish. 


Runners gather on the recreation ground for the race briefing 

Tonight is my first go at running this event. I am familiar with the route, as I have crewed at one of the checkpoints in the past, then run the Darkstar marathon which is held at the end of January, uses both sides of the river. 




The weather has been extremly dry throughout June, with low humidity and no rainfall since May. The temperature is currently 22C... yet it actually feels like over 25C with the heat index heating up the ground...

I reach the Shoreham Recreation ground in good time to get one of the last parking spaces. I collect my number and catch up with Chris and John who has come to watch the start and see the other runners. 

It is always good to see running friends to catch up, but it never seems enough time as soon enough we make our way over to the starting field and the race briefing...


The Downslink along River Adur


The start takes in two laps of the recreation field before going over the bridge to the otherside of the River Adur, where the route is diverted onto the Old Shoreham road, until reaching the Downslink footpath near the Amsterdam pub. 

The field starts to spread out and I can count atleast three other runners infront of me, Paul Sargeant, as usual is taking the lead...


The start of lap one around the river (photo by Jon Lavis)


The river bank is overgrown, yet the ground is so bone dry it is more like running on the road. I try to settle into my run and take in the pleasant scenery of the sundown and riverbank..

After a few miles in I am already feeling very warm and sweating much more than I am used to..


Sundown on the lower downs (photo by Jon Lavis)


Once reaching the South Downs bridge I know it is only a short while before reaching the first checkpoint at Bramber. Here the route goes over the bridge, near the Kings Head pub, to the other side of the river bank and back down towards Shoreham Airport. 

I take some water and add some coke to it. Jay (RD) is here to check on the runners passing through...


I thank the guys and head on up the river towards the bridge. Supporters are cheering runners on, some who I am sure were further down earlier... they are extremley enthusiastic, which is always a bonus and a boost! 


As it is saturday night, on a very warm evening, no doubt they have popped into    the pub already!...


Endless dry dirt tracks on the river bank (photo by Jon Lavis)


Once on the otherside of the River Adur, I head back down to the wooden footbridge, near the airport for the first loop. The light is fading fast, but I cab still see without the head torch for now...

Once reaching the next checkpoint at the footbridge, Chris is here to greet the runners and mark our lap on our race bib.

I have some diluted coke and take a few jelly babies for the next lap. I spot some familiar faces from previous Sussex Trail Events and they ask how I am doing. 

Everyone knows my name these days which makes us crazy runners feel like family!



I notice I have developed a dull ache in my neck, like I’ve pulled it somehow!?...As I am feeling so warm and worn out already my neck is another nag that I really don't need...





Another River series medal for the collection

I suffer with thoughts in my head that I should just call it time after the next lap, and call it good training?!... 

Then this is not an Ultra race... that voice in my head tells me to 'get over it and get that medal'

I can feel my pace dropping from the heat exhaustion and discomfort in my neck and now my quads are sore. It feels like my body is seriously rebelling againist running tonight! 

I soon enough turn on my head torch and distract myself with the sights of everyone else, a moving, shining light dotted down the river. I start a counting game in my head, with all the lights. This proves to be a good distraction of my current soreness and the time dragging...




Soon enough I reach Jay again and take a salt capsule and refill my backpack with water. I have some diluted coke and take some jelly babies with me. 

Jay asks how I am doing and kindly massages my neck to ease off the pain and loosen the muscle tension... 

It is a huge help and lifts my spirits to just run on and get the job done! 

I have about ten miles left to go...


I don't know how but, although my pace has slowed down and I am not going to reach a time close to what the previous events lastr month. I stick it through and just pop in and out at the checkpoint to grab some more diluted coke, jelly babies and chat to Chris. He finds it very amusing I got a massage from Jay to sort out my neck...

I can do this... one more lap to go then done!

I take a salt capsule as I am at alomst three hours in and have been sweating so much from the dry heat. It feels more breezy but the actually temperature makes my head feel on fire and I start to feel sick....

I manage some olive oil as I have not yet been hungry for anything. The thought of any food is making me feel more yuk...



Soon enough I reach the nect checkpoint, check in with Jay and have some water, more jelly babies to take with me and get a move on as I want to get this finish now. I hate feeling hot and sick. 

I didn't think you could get heatstroke of an evening but I really feel like I have it right now...

Once at the last checkpoint on the footbridge, I get directions from Chris, as the river bank trail is closed off from here and wee need to run Bonnets Lane towards the airport. This then comes out by the carpark at Adur Rec ground that we started. 

I see the flags and flood lights near my car and know that finally, I have reached the finish. Danny greets me with a medal and a protein vegan ball of some kind, which I really can't eat the moment. I just take some coke and thank him before getting changed into dry clothes and making my way home...

I just want my bed right now. 

Not the best marathon experience, but I reached the finish in 8th Place overall, which, isn't too bad, considering we have a severe, dry, heatwave I am not accustomed to running in... 

On the drive home, I pull over at Falmer to throw up! Just water and the effects from the heat making me feel ill. 

I cannot stomach much to eat once at home and just hydrate and sleep it off. 

I am happy I got to experience this event, although not so sure I would want to give it another go next year!

I like that the medal adds to the River Trail Series Collection. 

Just one more left to complete the set...



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