Thames Path 100 – Crewing Brian

My mate Brian decided a while back he would like another crack at the Thames Path 100. When they postponed the race earlier this year to this September space became available and he signed up, never mind he had done sod all training or any long runs for ages. But he is a stubborn little bugger and has form for just going out and winging ultras!

He has also completed the race before in 23:25:54 in 2016 so he knew what he was getting himself into. I had supported him during that attempt too so obviously was happy to crew him on this one with Maxine. He has helped me out at my events for many years so I owe him.

Centurion Running do great events and had put a lot of work in to get events going this year as have all us race directors. This meant a few changes from the normal event.

• No mass start, you start anytime in a 2 hour window to maintain social distancing
• Reduced crewing and spectating locations
• Track and trace policies
• No registration or kit checks at the start with everything pre race and during race as needed.
• Extra sanitation and hygiene procedures.
• A few changes to CP locations due to last minute permission issues.

But mostly the same great route and race, after all as someone once said “100 miles is not that far”.

For those who don’t know the TP100 is a point to point 100 mile running race along the Thames from Richmond to Oxford with an overall cut off time of 28 hours. There are around 14 aid stations provided by the race along the way but you can bring a crew to tend your needs, feed and clothe you. You have certain minimum equipment you must carry for the race and this means running with a small race pack or vest.

I also had a few other friends and previous coaching clients running in the race so it would be good to catch up with people and spend a day/night/day at a race with friends which is rare these days.

We picked up Brian nice and early and headed off to Richmond and with little fanfare we dropped him at the start and off he went. Just like a small child off to school for his first day. Short trousers and all.

We could not crew him for the 1st 2 checkpoints and could not meet up with him till 20 miles in, so we popped off and fortified ourselves with coffee and bacon butties at a cafe Nero. Crewing is hard work.

We met him at just over 20 miles by the river in Staines, He was looking good and had plenty of time on cut offs. He grabbed some fresh supplies and cracked on quickly. We mostly chatted to others and said hi to runners who we knew or just said “well done” to others we did not.

Windsor at 28 miles was next at Romney Lock in the park and it was the same deal, we made him eat fruit this time and he ordered a self heating Lancashire hot pot for the next CP. Brian works best on proper food and a couple of good hot meals with lots of calories during the event works well for him. He was in good shape.

Maidenhead next at 35.5 miles and Brian was still in good shape, Hot meal provided and some more fruit and he was good to go.

Marlow next and he was starting to feel it but otherwise in good nick, a bit of a grease up of the family jewels and more food and drink and off he went. Still around 2 hours 10 minutes inside cut off times. Times are based on his start time so we had a table created on a sheet of paper as reference. I cant find a picture from Marlow so here is one from earlier in the course from the official photographer.

Henley was next and this signified just over half way at 51 miles, he had a change of gear here and we had ordered some pizza from dominoes so he took some of that with him as well. Fuelled up and with a handful of Mighty Meaty pizza he was off into the darkness.

Reading at 58 miles by the Waterside centre was next, He was slowing as expected at night but otherwise in good shape.

Next is Pangbourne CP at 66.6 miles and he was still in good spirits although getting tired and slowing the pace now. It was decided Maxine would run with him from the Next location to escort him through the night. More hot food was planned for the next CP too. No photo from Pangbourne as it was dark and we struggled to get good pics at night with so many lights around and busy CP’s

Wallingford was the next official point at 77.8 where we fired some hot Chilli into him, which he regretted later! As did Maxine who had to run with him trumping and taking poo breaks! Apparently there was a near toilet paper shortage on this leg, a Buff may have had to be sacrificed if it got worse!

At Clifton Hampden he was good, tired and achy but good. Maxine had seen him though the night and kept him going well. He was down to less than an hour and a half inside cut offs but the mission was to finish not be fast. He was in good shape for the last 15 miles. More food, a hot brew and a kick up the arse later and he was off.

Abingdon at 91 miles was the last place we could meet him at Hales Meadow which is where we also use for the last CP on the Thames Ring 250 race.

Here we managed to get actual footage of Brian running through the long grass along the Thames. You have to remember though big in heart Brian is short in stature! That long grass is tough to run through when you are so small!

We fed Brian got him to change socks and found a blister or two! We set him off in good spirits for the final push to the finish. He had just under an hour of a buffer now so as long as he kept moving he was going to get there within cut off.

We then popped off to the finish to wait for him, I then ran out on the course to meet him and walk/run the last bit with him. There was not much running going on but much childishness about a boat called the Tom Tug we saw on the way back.

Maxine managed to catch the finish on video as we arrived.

So 27:10:17, comfortably inside the cut off and not badly broken. Seems like you can wing a 100 miler on little training!

He slept like a baby on the way home though it will be interesting when the kids ask him why he is walking funny at school tomorrow!

It was great to help out and see him finish, It was also great to see other friends and previous coaching clients finish their races. Crewing and volunteering at races can be as rewarding as running them. Races always need staff and runners always need crews so if you cant run don’t be afraid to volunteer for races. You will love it.

Well done Brian, a great little adventure.