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| Cakes or carb gels? There really can only be one winner. |
LDWA challenge events run from 8 to 62 miles but typically are between 20 and 30. Often an event will have routes of varying distances. Many events have a marathon distance route (or one that is slightly longer) which naturally will attract many runners wishing to take on the challenge of a marathon or ultra-marathon distance.
As you might expect the routes are mostly off-road and frequently take in some challenging terrain. But for me there lies the beauty of these kinds of events. If when you think of a running event you think of a big city event like say the London Marathon or the Manchester 10k then prepare for a shock - these events are pretty much the polar opposite.
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| Warning. PB's may be adversely affected by having to wait for passing canal traffic. |
The routes are often not flat and are usually not even marked out. The onus tends to be on the competitor to either follow the written route directions or to use a map to navigate between checkpoints. The checkpoints are much less frequent than you would normally expect to see on a road race, so it's usually necessary to take along extra nutrition or water to keep you going between stops.
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| Jam on toast at checkpoint 1. Perfect with a steaming mug of hot tea. |
But when the stops do appear, be prepared to be impressed. If you were expecting a hurried slurp of water or a carb gel then you are likely to be pleasantly surprised by what the LDWA supply to their competitors. Typically you will be offered water of course, but also squash, tea or coffee. There might also be fruit, cakes, sandwiches, crisps, biscuits. I've been at food stops on LDWA events and not wanted to leave. Special mention here must go to Staffordshire LDWA who supplied me with coffee, cheese filled oatcakes, fruit salad and cakes at the Three Shires event in April.
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| Expect to run down some unusual routes. One race includes 2776m of tunnel! |
More often than not you'll also be treated to a nice meal at the end of the race - all included in the entry fee. At the Birmingham Canal Canter checkpoint helpers were having a competition to see who could provide the best home cooked cakes. Competitors were asked to vote after the race. The competition was fierce and cake aficionados would have thought all their Christmases had come at once!
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| Post-race food at the Three Shires. |
If you are spurred on by hordes of cheering fans lining the route then you may well need to seek an alternative form of motivation, as you aren't likely to see many spectators out on the course. You will be given a good send off, however, and a warm welcome when you cross the finish line. The volunteers manning the checkpoints will also give you a hearty cheer as you pass by, in fact very often they'll engage you in conversation or assist you in a spot of navigation.
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| Not your conventional checkpoint nutrition. But far more delicious. |
By now you may have worked out that few people would describe an LDWA event as having PB potential. I'd go as far to say that if you rush round with your head down then you're kind of missing the point. The accomplishment is all in the finishing. Take your time, have a chat to the people you meet on the way, admire the view, stop to take photographs, savour the food, relax and enjoy yourself.
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| Two athletes stop for an impromptu brewery tour and beer tasting at mile 23. Seriously. |
Do you need any more convincing? How about the price? The most expensive marathon in the UK last year was the Guernsey Marathon. It cost £55 to enter. On the same day as that I ran the Birmingham Canal Canter (also a marathon), which cost a mere £6.
A list of upcoming LDWA challenge events can be found on their website here.
Michael
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