The inaugural running of The Essex Way Ultra - 14th / 15th July 2023.
Epping Tube Station - Harwich Old Lighthouse - 82 miles / 133 Km.
The start time of 9pm, dictated the night section would be run first. After around 9 hrs of heavy rain, conditions were tough. The rain fortunately abated just before the start, but muddy fields / byways and saturated long grass lay ahead.
Within the first mile, I managed to swallow a large insect and quickly knew when the pain ripped through my windpipe that it was a wasp or a bee. Fortunately I coughed it up, but as a parting blow it stung me twice on the lip on the way out. I feared my race might be over as I don’t react well to wasp stings. Antihistamine saved the day as my throat and lip swelled badly.
Navigation at night is obviously more challenging, even with the GPX it wasn’t always clear which was the correct path to take. Route markers were generally good, but maintaining a route of this length can’t be easy. At one point, we were fighting our way through brambles and nettles - but that’s half the fun!
The field soon strung out with some faster guys setting the pace, their red flashing lights soon disappearing into the distance. I settled into a rhythm with Owen and Stephen and we reached the first checkpoint (17.5 Miles) together. After a fairly quick water and stop, we continued on our way apparently with Shane a couple of minutes behind us.
The highlight of the next section was sticky mud, which was sapping on mind, legs and feet. The 3 musketeers literally stuck together as the pace slowed and we walked muddy tracks with what felt like a 5kg weight on each foot. It was futile trying to run and waste energy over this terrain.
As we approached the 2nd checkpoint, a red flashing light in the distance drew slightly nearer - it was unlikely to be a dog walker at 2am. We’d made good progress despite the conditions and had struck up a camaraderie as we tackled the night section together. The chap ahead was Fumiaki who was struggling as we passed him into the 2nd checkpoint, a pub open in the early hours fortunately not selling beer.
Also unfortunately retiring at this checkpoint was Jerome, which left Tim out in front and the 3 musketeers in 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The food and beverage on offer was fantastic, I’m not one for eating in Ultras so gratefully downed a cup a soup whilst other gorged on sandwiches and sausage rolls. I was eager to leave and get going again, but waiting for Stephen and Owen as Shane who arrived after us snuck out of the pub door in front of us.
The next section would be really tough, 30-50 miles, this would be race defining. We caught up with Shane and it was incredible that four of us were running together after 35 miles. I’m unsure how it happened, but myself and Shane edged ahead of Stephen and Owen as dawn was breaking at 40 miles. After a windy woody section I came out with no sign of anyone behind. Feeling good, I pushed on and could see Shane a hundred metres down the road.
The sun can have a magical effect on a weary mind and it gave me a new lease of life. If I could plough on to the next checkpoint and try and extend a lead then it could be massively advantageous. The terrain was easier now, cut grass and stoney tracks so a good pace could be maintained. Now as the sun had risen, we could see the beauty of this long distance trail. We ran past ancient churches, stunning rivers, a medieval abbey, a vineyard and some amazing villages and old houses.
At this point I first looked at the online tracker and could see that Shane was about 15 mins behind me coming into the 50 mile checkpoint, with Stephen and Owen further back. My thinking was if I could have a quick turnaround and leave before Shane arrived, it could give me a psychological advantage.
With a painful sock change due to some hot spots and saturated feet, a water and Tailwind fill up and managing to shoe horn a bacon butty down (it was breakfast time after all and a nice touch by the organisers) I managed to leave in 12 mins before Shane arrived. Tim in front had apparently stayed much longer here, but still had a significant lead of around 3 miles.
After fighting through a dense coniferous forest akin to something out of Harry Potter, it was lovely to see Boxted church as the 60 mile checkpoint. After a water fill up and a few slices of water melon I was on my way again. The route now seemed to incorporate more road sections which was fine, but the gradient was becoming far more undulating. Shane was around a mile and a half behind and I knew I had to keep the pace up.
It was great to see the estuary and the final checkpoint at Mistley. Leaving after 5 mins I cracked on and headed for Harwich. Field crossing were now common and a huge potato field wasn’t what was needed.
My pace slowed and even with a tailwind struggled home to the lighthouse in 2nd place, this was a tough race.
Huge credit to Chris and all volunteers who put on a great event!
