A TRAIL running event, Beyond the Far Side – 6 hours, took place in Westbury on Saturday 19th January, which saw 75 runners take on gruelling distances in wet conditions.
The event is organised by Crooked Tracks Wiltshire, a not-for-profit Ultrarunning event organisation. Fees raised by their events are passed to Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Headlight.
This was the second year that the event was held in Westbury. The basic route is 5.3 miles on the edge of Salisbury Plain with an overall elevation of 850 ft. Participants can ran the length of the route, plus a bit more, to make it 10K. Alternatively, they can run for 6 or 12 hours and aim to complete as many laps as they can.
Each circuit consists of three descents back from Salisbury Plain to Westbury but after running down two descents, the runners have to turn around – and run straight back up the hill they have just run down.
Race director, Neil Turnbull said, “On paper the route itself does not appear to be particularly challenging to a seasoned or even slightly experienced trail runner. However, appearances can be deceptive and that is certainly the case for Beyond The Far Side.
“The mental aspect of continuously running back up the same hills, after running down them first, for 6 or 12 hours, is as much a challenge, if not more than the physical challenge of this route.”
This year saw 75 runners take on the challenge with winners from each category as follows:
10K – First Male – Tom Hayward – 47 mins 21secs; First Female – Jolene Farion – 55mins 51 sec.
6 hours – First Male – Steve Reading – 6 Laps. 5 hrs 26 mins 12 sec. 31.8 miles. 5,100 ft elevation; First Female – Ruth Mitchell – 5 Laps. 5hrs 41 mins 29 sec. 26.5 miles. 4,250 ft elevation.
12 hours – First Male – Ben Bridewell – 10 Laps. 10 hrs 10 mins 21 secs. 53 miles. 8,500 ft elevation; First Female – Susan Browning – 8 Laps. 11 hrs 14 mins 10 sec. 42.4 miles. 6,800 ft elevation.
More information about Crooked Tracks Wiltshire, their events, and their chosen charity can be found at www.crookedtrackswiltshire.co.uk/
