The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

mikey · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject: Benfleet Ultra ????

I noticed on one of Mike M’s recent thread hijacking’s that he thought his proposal of a Benfleet Ultra race had been forgotten

This isn’t entirely true, as I have been giving it some thought.

I’ve notice that our summer Leigh Station route ( 8,5 miles ), could be shortened to a 8 mile loop going round Benfleet station and back onto the downs again aka the Benfleet 15 route.

So we could organize a race based around 8 mile multiples : 8m / 16m / 32m

How about a night time Ultra ….

Early in the year so that London Runners could use the shorter distances as part of their training

Have a think about it

Mikey

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1473 Location: Rayleigh

brillant idea....pre London training run and benfleet ultra run.

Mike I love you, and want to have your babies.....

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 854 Location: Hockley

Mikey, I almost forgive you for the crap about Benfleet Marshals....a night run would be very interesting and enjoyable.....especially if Godfrey was asleep.... brilsmurf

rgds

Mike

ps Karl I think your praise may have been a tad too much...certainly unsettling.....
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

mikemoreton · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 461 Location: Hockley, GORC.

Ok guys,

As a newcomer to your club (caring club.....my A*se) I worry now about the caring about ones A*se.
Next time, should i back in to the clube, reversing very carefully?

MM, Still working on Tea in Hockley Woods.

Also, point to mention............ I have a swimming pool 24' x 12' x 4' deep for any sucker, i mean person who wants to brave the 70f water. (it can be heated to 90f though Smile

)

Best wishes to all, especially Ernie. good luck

Mike Moreton

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1473 Location: Rayleigh

Sorry Mike, just got a bit excited as Mikey hasn't mentioned the duathlon once today...phew.

what about a very early morning run (instead of a night run) to see the sun coming up over southend seafront...start at say 3am....??

mArKw · Joined: 15 May 2006 Posts: 235 Location: Benfleet

The Benfleet 15 / Leigh station course is a bit too flat. Needs some hills to make it more interesting.

Can I design the course? toothy10

Night racing? Yep OK.
_________________
The hills are alive........

mikey · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 8:11 pm Post subject:

Glad there's some interest in the idea

Will need to get together, to turn this from a talking shop, it into a reality

Can't do it now unfortunately, as I'm just starting on the Duathlon Handicapping

Nothing like a deadline to motivate you ....

Gun goes off ( Someone says go !! ) in 36 hours time

runningman · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 119 Location: my office

when is the club duathlon ??

runningman · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 119 Location: my office

The benfleet 50 does sound appealing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucycat · Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

Got to do an overnighter in some way for sure. Just far more fun running around with a torch on your head following mad little lights.

Not sure about hills, holes and slippy bits in the dark Mark. More fun but too much first aid involved.

I think prizes for dogs too!

Oh and whens the duathlon?
_________________

"Me and my dawg"

Steffan · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 537 Location: Basildon

I'd be up for running in the dark, sounds better than being left in the dark!
What duathlon?
bounce

mikemoreton · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 461 Location: Hockley, GORC.

whats a duathalon?

??

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1473 Location: Rayleigh

...it's something you do at another club, and not at a running club

mikey · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 10:08 am Post subject:

Afraid you're all missed the duathlon this year

And you defiantly missed out on a fantastic, if slightly damp event

Details of the 2008 event in 10 months time

Mikey

runningman · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 119 Location: my office

DAMN I MISSED IT !!!!

mikey · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 12:28 pm Post subject:

Back to the ultra route

I’ve run my calibrated piece of string over the leigh station route

Running anti-clockwise –
Using the slope up to the school lane entrance from the downs –
Running down through the station car park to the ally way at the bottom–
Running under the railway bridge back to the creek path

Distance approx 7.6 miles

This gives us 2 potential event centers

Bottom of Station Car Park – Good for parking etc
Floating Pub just before you go onto creak path – Potential power & all night drinking !!

Think we should also have a check point at Leigh station, just to check runners though each half of the lap

Like the idea of a midnight start – as its easy to remember !!
If you want to see the sun coming up, you’re have to do the longer distances !

15 , 30 , and 45 mile options maybe ?

Not exactly sure how long an insane person takes to cover 45 miles, any idea’s

More importantly what shall we call the event ?

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1473 Location: Rayleigh

Mikey, well done.

Glad this is now moving on a gear.

Are we talking this year (late), early next year (feb) or can we maybe organise it for the summer this year aswell..???

Midnight start sounds good.

Steffan · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 537 Location: Basildon

End of the month works for me!

Jez · Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 163 Location: Eastwood

If we make it up to fifty miles we could call it the fleet of foot fifty.I ll do fifty, but would a ten pm start or slightly earlier as there could be some confusion over the exact date of the start time be better.Just a thought........and this summer is good for me

Steffan · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 537 Location: Basildon

Quality name there Jez.

I'd have a go at 50 too.

Ernie · Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 150 Location: Hockley GORC

It has to be at least 50 miles just to gain any respectablity these days . I suppose a fairly elite runner would be looking at 6 hours or so . If I was in any way fit shape (which I'm not and wont be) I would be "aiming" to break 7 1/2 but I am a dreamer.
I think we should and need to put this on as it Befits Benfleet as a great club. I think you need to give at least a few months notice . Why not in October as that is when the 54mile London to Brighton used to be held and might get some genuine interest from the many Ultra runners in this part of the world.
I think a Midnight Start is a great idea with a Dawn finish so the competitors will get some applause at the end at least. Also it would be good if maybe a shorter 1/2 distance race was held at the same time.

Why dont all those interested get together and work something out.
Count me in for support at the very least.
ps as for time/date confusion make the race start 1min past Midnight.
pss if it is shorter than 26 miles then it is not an Ultra.

Stu · Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 24

Good idea gents.
To make this a suitable event to carry the proud Benfleet name and tradition and put it on the map, I think you should include castle hill (whatever way the route goes). The club doesn't really do flat races does it.
Think of the cracking view of Gods golden isle as the sun appears and your on hill climb 50....truly inspiring :- )

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1473 Location: Rayleigh

Great reply Ernie -

what do we need, ref: permission to organise a public race..Castle Hill will be on the Park area, so assume we need to advise/ask the warden..?

Plus, how many people do you think would be interested..??

100 - 500 - 50 ? It makes a big difference to the planning/organisation.

Ernie · Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 150 Location: Hockley GORC

I would think even 50 competitors for in inaugural event such as this would be a good number to work on as what we want is to put on a quality race and a safe one that we can be proud of.

I am thinking of a race of at least 50 miles (ie 7 laps of Mikey's course of 7.6 miles - 53.2 miles ) and think that Marks comments of a few more hills needs serious consideration. I would like to see a few more hills put in the course (any ideas Mikey on this).
It is an Ultra race so it needs to be hard !

I think what they did at the Moonlight Challenge early this year was good with glow sticks marking the course and competitors and with officials walking around the course in reverse helping to check on runners etc.

For health and safety reasons there has to be a basic requirement for acceptance into this race such as sub 4hour Marathon, prior Ultra, Triathlon experience etc.

The think the idea of using 2 major checkpoints ie (Floating Pub and Leigh Station Area) is a good one supplying hot drinks etc through the night.

Lets talk about when ( I'll vote for September) .

mikey · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject:

Lots of good feedback guy’s

Think we can incorporate the castle into the route … Running back along the downs from Leigh station, after coming down the slippery hill and crossing the style, we could then run up the long drag up to the castle, run behind the castle, then turn left and run down castle hill.

The top of castle hill would also give us a good check point mid-way though the doggy downs section of the route.

Like the idea of marshals sweeping the route in reverse during the night.

Think we should put this all down on paper, so it can be talked though at the next committee meeting. Would also be a good idea to run it past Clive first, being an ex ultra runner, and having a lot of knowledge about permissions required to run our other races.

Stu · Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 24

The finish could be at the Castle which makes for a grand setting. Although parking is not quite as good as say Benfleet station, maybe with the help of the Sally Army both in terms of parking and a nice race HQ this is an option. A good charity/bit of PR too.
50 hills (i.e 5 on each 10m lap) would make it a good challenge for the runners. The downs has some nice ones to choose from.

Jez · Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 163 Location: Eastwood

Young stuart, I do hope having proposed a quite sadistic route(50 hills)that one will be putting ones name down on the list as a runner.I think you may even curse the sight of gods great isle after a few hills violent1

mikey · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject:

Blimey Jez …… You aint arf posh !!! …. Aren’t one

Think you might be right though

The challenge of 50 miles alone should be enough, 6 or 7 trips to the castle will give it a little extra zest.

But think route finding, alone in the dark , especially after 40 odd miles, should be relatively easy. Therefore keeping to a straight forward (dare I say It… Fool Proof !! ) route should be the aim.

Steffan · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 537 Location: Basildon

As long as captain has nothing to do with planning the route eh Mikey!!

mikemoreton · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 461 Location: Hockley, GORC.

Jez, I hope you are going to show these whippersnappers the way to do it

Lucycat · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:21 pm Post subject:

One suggestion: one of the things I liked about the moonlit challenge and the 50 mile challenge was that you dont have to do 50 miles. They have certificates either for however far you get or at the 30 40 and 50 point or say 26.2; 30; 40 and 50. Obviously the winner should do 50 however, I do think as a first bash at a longer run 30 is more accessable and is only a few miles more than a marathon which most runners have a good crack at after a few inaugral months cyclops

.

I know its not totally in the realms of the ultimate ultra and all credit to you guys that do and can but I think for success and entries on an overall basis then increasing its appeal by allowing an earlier mile finish will help with marketing and entries. Fifty miles is a bloody long way especially if its your first ultra.

Just a thought.
_________________

"Me and my dawg"

runningman · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 119 Location: my office

Lucy, very good point ! but could you have not made it until Karl had done his first 50 MILER in July ! as were still trying to convince him ' its only a few more miles than a marathon ' .......
gaza...

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1473 Location: Rayleigh

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 854 Location: Hockley

Original idea was for a 50km (ie 2 laps of the Benfleet 15 with change). This gives opportunity to attract runners new to Ultras with a recognised ultra distance. Also, there are few recognised ultras in Essex and around the counties at that time of year.

If we ran on benfleet 15 day this could kick off much earlier than the 15 miler but could be timed to allow the fast runners to finish at same time as fast 15 milers.............

My vote is stay with a manageable and attractive distance - we can always move from 50Km to 50 to 100 miles in the future. The logistics of sorting a 50km race much simpler than 50+ miles methinks.

Rgds
Mike
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

mikey · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:18 pm Post subject:

Mike

One of the reasons that the original idea didn’t get off the ground was because of it being tacked onto the Benfleet 15

Problems being :

B15 route is very marshal intensive ( 50+ ), although the ultra runners wouldn’t need quite so many, we would have felt obliged to man water stations etc.

Although starting early, with the aim of finishing at the same time as the main race works in principle. In practice we would have the slower ultra runners behind the main field. Leading to confusion, regarding when to break down the course, which is usually done straight after the B15 sweeper comes though.

Any slower ultra runners would also lead to keeping the finish open longer

Also feel that running both races at the same time would actually detract from both of them.

Much better to have 2 separate races, both with their own distinct characters, and of course giving the opportunity to enter both ( assuming you’re not a benfleet member, and required to marshal the B15 !! )

Hence the Creek road / downs loop idea

Which is much a much tighter route, and so easier to marshal.
Having shorter loops gives the opportunity for different race lengths as originally suggested, and highlighted by Lucy.

Think that your idea of starting with a 50k race is a good one, (with the option of increasing the distance over future years). Looking back at the Grizzly race, it only started off as a 10 miler, and now is 20+, seems a very sensible way to develop to me.

Also think we should have shorter options

50k (31 miles) would be 4 loops, so could easily have a 16 mile 2 loop option, or we could have cert’s for each full loop completed ?

What do you think ?

By the way, don’t think we’ve come up with an outstanding name yet

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1473 Location: Rayleigh

what about

"The F+*king Fleet Fifty"

mikey · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:29 pm Post subject:

Nice try .......... But no cigar !!!!!!!