Imber Ultra Marathon 2014

WHEN the date of 9th March 2014 for the inaugural Imber Ultra Marathon was chosen the organisers had no idea what the weather on the day was going to be like.

Sue Ezra, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Westbury reported, “In fact it was just about perfect for the course at any time of year. Dry, sunny, not too hot or cold. The course had also dried out significantly after some of the wettest weather in living memory.

“We got 99 entries, but only 80 starters, which may have been the effects of training with wet feet every run over the  winter catching  up with the early entrants. However the sunshine at the start meant that the runners could not help smiling despite any nerves they may have had about the challenge.

“By checkpoint two at Chitterne and 13 miles there was a group of three well out in front. Guy Landon and Martin Indge both have form as past winners of other local ultras and they were joined by relative ultra-newbie Matthew Maynard, like Guy a member of Team Bath. However around 20 miles the pace of Guy and Matthew was too much for Martin, who let them go as they got to Gore Cross and the last 13 very runnable miles.

“Guy and Matthew then raced each other together until the last downhill mile where Matthew got away from Guy, who was protecting his ankles from the rutted track, to win by less than a minute. Both men beating four hours. Then there was a 26 minute gap until Frome’s Kaine Dixon took the 3rd male spot.

“In the Ladies race Lizzie Wraith (Team Bath) was the decisive winner with more than a 20 minute lead on 2nd female Holly Winser.

“However it was not all about the runners at the front. There was consistent positive feedback from throughout the field on the challenge of the route, how remote and beautiful it was in places and on the support from the checkpoints, with plenty of noise and razz-mattaz. The race was a great success, There was not a single drop out, all 80 starters finished!

“We would also like to thank all the sponsors of the event from supplying everything from bananas, chocolate bars to numbers, medals etc. Thank you for all donations, the money raised will go to Dorothy House and Whizz Kids.”