Edinburgh's first ever ultra urban marathon...and John's longest race to date - and his return to sponsored running after taking a break since 2016.
STOP PRESS....HE DID IT!!!
And he made it - in under 7 hours!! This is the update in John's own words:
" Ok so the hardest thing I have done in my life was the rat race Edinburgh ultra, 55km, 3000ft of assent, the official time is in!
I came 125th overall, 109th bloke, 6th in my age category.... and under 7 hours ...... 6:50:57..... I can barely walk today but will be fine in a day or so...
This was simply the hardest challenge I have ever done, I was going to give in so many times, but I didn’t, one of the main reasons was sponsored by so many wonderful people.... I thank every one of you, you helped me get through this.... I thank and hate you 😉 "
The Ultra Tour of Edinburgh
"Dawn breaks and in the crisp autumn air of Scotland’s Capital a quite remarkable new event gets underway. Enveloped within the beating heart of this most famous of cities, the runners of the inaugural Ultra Tour of Edinburgh set off with a Braveheart charge down the most famous street in Scotland – the Royal Mile. Their course then weaves 55km through streets, alleyways, onto hills, up crags, past monuments, museums, seats of Royalty, Government and up and down 3000 feet of ascent and descent.
The Ultra Tour of Edinburgh is unique. Many events claim to be. But this one is an Ultra Run in a city – a city like no other. Rat Race is the UK’s best known adventure sports outfit and our company was forged on the streets of Edinburgh in 2004 with the staging there of our first ever event. It is to our spiritual home that 13 years on, we bring a superlatively ‘doable’ Ultra. 55km on foot is no mean feat but for all those out there who think they can go that extra mile, you can. And what better place to do so than somewhere so hauntingly beautiful, rugged, gnarled and famous in equal measure." ratrace.com/ute
John's Challenges 2017
After four years of up to 25 sponsored events a year, John changed gear in 2017. He continued entering events - including running as a pacer for 1 hr 55 mins in the Great North Run, competing in a very appropriate 'Duracell Bunny' outfit (see pic)! But he took a break from fundraising - until the opportunity came up to take part in his biggest event yet! On the 22nd October, John competed in Edinburgh's first ever urban ultra marathon - 55km through streets, alleyways, onto hills, up crags, past monuments, museums, seats of Royalty, Government and up and down 3000 feet of ascent and descent.
