Centurion Hundred Hills 50k

Another Club Record !!

 

** Race report by Andy Jones**

 

Last weekend I ran the Centurion Hundred Hills 50k.

 

The route is a beautiful but challenging 50km trail ultra through the heart of the Chiltern countryside. The route takes in 1300 meters of climb, visiting picturesque villages and ancient woodland while traversing some incredible trails.
It starts and finishes at 850 year old Stonor Park, which provides a stunning backdrop to the event. The race consists of two different 25km loops.

 

The conditions for trail running were probably the best you could ask for. After a dry spell, the course was in mint condition. The sun shone all day but with a cooling breeze, the balance of the perfect temperature was struck.

 

As with all Centurion events, runners were fully supported by 5 well stocked aid stations, full medical support and a marked course.
This was my first event of the year and I went into it feeling quite confident having put in a fair amount of elvation training in the prior weeks.
It was also my first V60 category event after my recent birthday.

 

I’d taken a look at last year’s V60 winning time of 5hr 25mins and fancied my chances of bettering that.

 

 

The event started at 9am with a 9hr cut off.
I set off on what was a very runnable course. Not overly technical, tree roots being the main challenge. The hills weren’t too challenging either, steep enough to have to hike but not for too long.  

 

I fuelled myself with 2 x Precision Fuels 90g gel pouches and added Precision Fuel electrolyte tablets to my 2 x 500ml soft flasks of water. For solids, I had one Maurten160 oat and rice based chewable bar and a Veloforte energy bar.
This was sufficient for me to make it to the halfway point without stopping at an aid station. The only time I stopped thereafter was to refill my bottles and grab some marmite wraps.

 

 

I paced myself quite well, respecting the climbs and attacking the descent. Other than a stumble and fall at around 30k, I ran a pretty solid race and came home in 5hrs 18mins. Unfortunately, the V60 trophy had been taken by then but I was good for 2nd place in my age category. I think I was 75th overall out of a field of 430 starters, so not too bad.

 

As a season opener or as a first time trail ultra I’d thoroughly recommend this event.
I’ll definitely be back next year 🏃‍♂️

 

Thanks for the race report Andy. Sounded and looked like an amazing event. Well done on an incredible performance and setting a 50k mens club record not only as a V60 but on a course that has 100 hills !!!