Monarchs Way 2019 Day 2

We are now into the second day on The Monarchs Way Ultra.

Leg 2 goes up to Boscobel House and then does a left out towards White Ladies Priory and runs around two smaller loops anticlockwise and back to Boscobel. The reason Charles did this loop was that he was heading for a crossing into N Wales but found the bridges blocked by troops and had to return to Boscobel to make other plans. This is when he hid in the famous Oak tree. It’s a very rough loop and some of the planted fields are very hard to cross especially at night. Lots of rough underfoot sections.

John Stocker left the CP1 scout hut and off up the disused railway line focused and determined.
All the runners arrived then left in the next few and left again over the following 16 hours. Most having not slept but eaten and sorted self and kit. Just two decided to sleep, Tony and Vic.
Tony left in the early hours and Vic stayed till 6:45 am.

Today’s target was around 45 miles and most of the terrain was easy enough going but some patches of overgrown sections etc.

John Stocker consolidated his league and pretty much worked hard all day. Apart from some dramas with his phone he had a great day. He again had a couple of people out to see him and check on him, I am sure it motivated him well. John worked hard and motivated himself well and he pushed on.

Victoria looking strong as she passes Boscobel House the first time

He worked hard and stayed motivated all day and arrive at CP 2 back at Boscobel House in very good shape. He still did not want to sleep yet but chose to eat and look after his feet and any other niggles. He was already up a few hours from last years attempt and his feet are in better condition than last year. That has made a massive difference along with slightly cooler weather.

Bob Wild was running well with some leapfrogging with some of the other runners from the beginning of the village. He was well motivated as he left and pretty much on John’s heels.

Ellen and Bruce

And then there were 5.

Ellen Cottom, Jonathan Rowles and Peter Bengtsson all swapped placings throughout the day and arrived at CP2 within an hour or so of each other. All taking a short sleep and some food on board before heading out towards CP3 again. All in good spirits with minor feet issues sorted before going and various items charged in the crew vehicles 

Ellen on a mission looking good

Tony Hewett and Victoria Owens were keeping a more relaxed pace and planning more sleep into their schedules and were looking after the rear section of the race. Victoria had a few minor nav errors and this cost her a little time but she left CP2 determined and confident of getting to CP in good shape.

Tony was having some foot issues and had some blisters and sore areas of his feet and this was slowing him down considerably with Victoria overtaking him between CP1 and 2 despite him leaving hours before her. 

He made the decision about halfway around the Boscobel loop that he was simply going too slow to stand any chance of completion and making the cut offs so he made the tough decision to stop. He had covered around 70-75 miles. Great effort and a tough decision to make so early into the race but the one thing the race does well is test your feet out. The course is much harder on the feet than many would think. Very varied terrain with wet, hot, dry, mud and dust all to contend with and ground ranging from soft to rock hard ruts.

Day 2 is harder than day 1 both mentally and physically but the reality his that the run has nit not really started yet and everyone is still trying to get their head around the run and settle into the routine of Eat, Run, Sleep and repeat.

Let’s see what tomorrow brings……..