The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

Something I've registered my interest in.....

THAMES RING

At the last TRA Committee meeting, Dick Kearn produced a map of the Thames Ring. This is a circular waterway taking in 49.25 miles of the Oxford Canal from Napton Junction (about 5 miles from Braunston) to just north of Oxford, where it connects to the Thames. The Thames section down to Brentford is the longest at 108.5 miles. The final section (98.5 miles) is along the Grand Union Canal until it joins the Oxford Canal back at Napton Junction. This gives a waterway distance of around 256 miles and a way-marked route of nearer 260 miles.

Dick wondered whether this could be a viable ultra run. At first impact, the idea seems completely ludicrous. One might have to allow 4/5 days for completion. However, if outstanding runners can complete the Grand Union (145 miles) in less than 30 hours, it might be possible to do it in 65 hours (less than 3 days) at an average speed of 4 mph. That makes no allowance for sleeping time. It’s possible to do the GUCR without sleep but surely not the Thames Ring.

Those who finish the Grand Union show no appetite for extra distance. So far as we know, no one has run the Ring or even made the attempt. Dick has tested the route supporting his brother-in-law, Phil Gadd, who cycled round it in 60 hours for charity.

After the meeting Dick discussed his idea with Steve Partridge and Anthony Taylor over a meal. We agreed that, if the event ever happened, support teams would be compulsory. Organisers would struggle to look after unsupported runners over such a distance. Dick knew of a village hall at Streatley on the Thames towpath which might serve as a start and finish point.

It is proposed that the direction should be anti-clockwise. That would give Grand Union veterans a different perspective on the stimulating and varied canal vistas. Also, when starting from Streatley, runners would negotiate the more difficult section of the Thames Path approaching London, before becoming too fatigued.

Three enthusiasts cannot make an event happen by themselves. There have to be people out there who are good enough, brave enough or even stupid enough to contemplate the distance. Not many, but a few. Is there anyone who would consider running the Ring? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Contact Dick Kearn on dickjan@talk21.com or Anthony Taylor on Anthony@maunsel.freeserve.co.uk

Dick Kearn and Anthony Taylor 30.1.08

In correspondence with Dick Kearn - "I might not be good enough or brave enough but stupid enough ....then I qualify"
We'll just have to wait and see if there is enough interest out there to make this happen !

Karl C · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject:

it's got my ring quivering, I know that !

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

Latest News !

Trail Running Association
260 Mile Thames Ring Ultra Marathon
24th to 28th June 2009

The Route will follow three waterways, starting from Streatley in Berkshire. The route follows the Thames Path towards London passing Reading, Windsor, and Weybridge to Brentford. Here it turns north following the Grand Union Canal passing Rickmansworth, Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes and Gayton to Napton Junction. From here it turns south on the South Oxford Canal passing Fenny Compton, Banbury and Lower Heyford to Oxford where it will rejoin the Thames Path to finish at Streatley.

We believe this to be the longest non-stop running event ever staged in the UK. Although the official waterways distance is 256 miles, (412 kms) runners will cover the approximate equivalent of 10 marathons, around 260 miles (418 kms).
The inaugural race will start at 10:00am on Wednesday 24th June, and finish at 14:00pm on Sunday 28th June, giving a maximum of 100 hours to complete the course. There is a race limit of 100 entrants.
Depending upon success, it is intended to hold this event bi-annually.

Runners will be required to be self-sufficient for 26 to 30 miles between checkpoints/feed stations. Support teams for individual runners will NOT be permitted. We consider that those with support crews would have too great an advantage over unsupported runners. However, those who would be able to get support are encouraged to offer this to the organisers for the benefit of all competitors. Those so doing will receive a £25 discount off the entry fee for each marshal they bring giving 24 hours help. The cost of the entry has been provisionally set at £125. The discount, up to a maximum of £75 (e.g. 1 helper for 3 days or 3 helpers for 1 day) will be paid after the event. It will at the absolute discretion of the race organisers as to which offers of help are accepted.

The start (and finish) will be at Streatley. We have made a provisional booking of the Morrell Rooms there. The Thames Path goes right past the door, so this makes an ideal location. Goring on Thames railway station is approximately half a mile from this venue.

The race will be run anti-clockwise, allowing competitors to complete the more difficult-to-navigate “London” region while still fresh on the first day. The event is not intended as a test of navigation. A route description and map of each section between checkpoints will be available. Runners are required to carry (or purchase en-route) sufficient nourishment for each section. They must also have full body cover and a mobile phone. For competitors requiring rest breaks, basic tented accommodation will be provided at some checkpoints.

The intention is to provide checkpoints at intervals of about marathon distance, but this is dependent upon there being sufficient helpers. As the first three days are weekdays, marshals may prove difficult to recruit. An incentive for potential marshals is that they will be in a good position to monitor the progress of any runner in whom they have a special interest. (We must point out that marshals would not be permitted to tend their runners outside of “duty” hours, except at other checkpoints.)

So far over sixty people have expressed an interest in competing, and around twenty in marshalling.
Because such an event requires long-term planning, anyone wishing to take part should confirm their interest as soon as possible. (This need not be a firm commitment.)

E-mail or write to either
Dick Kearn. 16 Burrell Road, Compton, Newbury, RG20 6NS
dickjan@talk21.com
Anthony Taylor, 2 Maunsel Street, London, SW1P 2QL.
a.j.taylor@talktalk.net

Mike Mason · #7 Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 1055 Location: Hockley

What heartless git would do this and let a mate down by not supporting him on the West Highland Way Race? Obviously lost a sense of decency during your exile in Aussie land..............
_________________
'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'.

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

Seriously Mike if I can "attempt" this without support then you should surely be able to run a little "namby-pamby" 100 miler without support as well.

signed : heartless git

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

Latest News !

The longest non-stop event EVER staged in the UK

The First TRA
260 mile
Thames Ring Race

BRITAIN’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE -
10 CONSECUTIVE MARATHONS!
WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE 2009
STARTING AT 10AM
FROM THE
MORRELL ROOMS, STREATLEY, BERKSHIRE RG8 9HT

RACE PERMIT APPLIED FOR

With a generous donation from TASL Ltd and financial support from the Trail Running Association, funds are now available for us to go ahead with the project. As yet there are many details still to be finalised (in fact there are many fundamental items still to be addressed!) but the race is to go ahead.

Entry Form is sent .... lets hope I'm up to the task !

What will make this race particularly hard is - Restrictions
18. Hiking-poles, buddies (on foot or bike) and support teams are prohibited. Any runner found to be receiving support from friends or family will be disqualified.

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

THAMES RING 260 UPDATE

This note is being published to counter any idea that the event is still conditional or in any way in doubt as possibly suggested by the October update. Permission
has been granted by British Waterways, The Environmental Agency and National Trails Office – it’s all systems go.

As those who have already expressed interest in the event will know, entry forms have been available from December 1st. As of now (23 January), the following 23 entries have been received:- Stephen Beedle, Javed Bhatti, Mark Cockbain, Rob Coleman, Paddy Craig, Duncan Cruttenden, Michael Dark, Andrew Ferguson, Adrian Holloway, Christian Hottas, Ernie Jewson, Peter Johnson, Stefan Lindvall, Robert Lovegrove, Iain McDougall, Alan Myles, Rajeev Patel, John Poole, Stuart Shipley, Mike Smith, Carl Sommer, Paul Taylor and Stephen Thompson. These include entries from the United States, Sweden and Germany. It’s noteworthy that all the entries are men so far. After an initial flurry, there is a distinct lull in the flow of applications, so perhaps the limit of 100 will not be tested. We are not too surprised at that!

Many offers of help have been gratefully received. We could do with more, particularly for the weekdays, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (24th to 26th June). Most volunteers on our list are unconnected to the runners. Only a few entrants have offered helpers who might otherwise have been members of their support team. This is slightly disappointing. We had hoped that potential supporters would volunteer, possibly to keep an eye on the progress of their runner, and that the small matter of the entry fee refund - £25 for each 24 hours of help introduced – would be further inducement. Perhaps runners and their friends and family will respond to this further plea for help.

The sites of the nine Check Points have been identified but not, in all cases, settled. They will be announced as soon as we have the agreement of the landowners (where appropriate). We are currently working on how many Check Points need to be open at the same time, and when they should be opened, as calculating the extent of the field spread is difficult without any precedent. Opening times will be loosely based on eight (in early stages) to twelve hours, for each approximate 26 mile section.

Checkpoint cut-off times and all other pre-race information will be posted to all entrants at least four weeks prior to the race.

Dick Kearn/Anthony Taylor 23.1.09

Mike Mason · #7 Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 1055 Location: Hockley

Best of luck Ernie remember only to keep to your 10k pace for the first 150 miles...give the others a chance.
_________________
'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'.

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

APPLICATION SENT ! Will i never learn !

Karl C · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:40 am Post subject:

We will be tracking their progress on this race here

http://www.benfleetrunningclub.com/thames.ring.2009/

GOOD LUCK GUYS, hope the training is going OK ?!

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

Latest News !

DISTANCE
We have had to reduce this to 250 miles. The Geo Projects Book (GPB) on the Thames Ring refers to a waterway distance of 256 miles. With bridge crossing and other deviations from the direct line, we thought 260 was a safe estimate of the distance on foot. When we checked the waterway distance based on the white mileage markers in GPB it came to 247.25. The distance using a map measurer of the distance on foot came to 245.46. However, we measured 168.54 miles by GPS. The GPS gave mileages 0.91% in excess of the map measurer. With an adjustment to take that into account we have a distance of 248.36 say 250.

Sorry about this but there will be no refund for the missing miles.

phew ! thats a relief.....

Mike Mason · #7 Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 1055 Location: Hockley

it's a piece of p*ss now lads ....smash it!!!!! You carry the honour of the 'Caring Club' on your shoulders

Dracula Boy
_________________
'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'.

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

Damn ! Its far to easy now !

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

My thoughts exactly Gaza ! and there I was worrying about running 260 miles only to find out that its now only a little 250 miler .

bobby · #2 Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 258

Good luck, have a good one. What a way to spend a weekend.

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

Just been checking out the results for this weekends GUCR ! and seen the rate of drop outs and some of the people i know who didnt make it !!! GULP !!! and it makes you relise the size of the task we are about to take on ! its going to be a mighty long 4 days .. and i have a feeling iam not going to be seeing much of Ernie as he is going to be a looooooooong way ahead of me !!

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

I was helping out at the 100 mile point on the GUCR (145 miles) from Midnight Saturday to Midday Sunday and met many of the retirees .
Not a pretty sight !

For me its the Blisters that worry me the most and I've seen quite a few this weekend.

Out of 86 Starters 34 actually finished which compared to other years is not a bad result with a certain Pat Robbins smashing his own GUCR record in a time of 26hrs 24mins.

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

Well news on the Streets is that there are 40 entrants ! Starting too get excited and bricking it !!
Ernie do you suggest trail or road shoes ! iam taking various shoes but what do you suggest ?

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

I've decided on taking 3 pairs of shoes with me Gaza.
2 pairs of Road Shoes (Saucony & Brooks) of which the Saucony is oversized & 1 pair of oversized Asics Trail Shoes.

What for me is most important is whatever pair of shoes buffers my toes the most.

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

8 days ! In the words of Corp JONES .. DONT PANIC !!!!!!!!

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

No pressure....the press officer ( cheers Debs !) have made me sound like an olympic champion ! even said i have done the GUCR when as far as ive got is fill out the entry form !!!! Surley this article should be about Mr Superman ERNIE...

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Ah journalistic licence Gaza, great wasn't it?!

Good luck Gaza take it steady and get to that finish

Pammie · #3 Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 385

Good luck fellas - cant comprehend how far it is apart from 10 marathons back to back with no breaks
_________________
I'll put something interesting here when i've thought of something, in the meantime heres some music.

Karl C · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject:

We will be tracking their progress on this race here

http://www.benfleetrunningclub.com/thames.ring.2009/

graham crocket · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 19

good luck ernie i will be following your progress when you get started,i still think you are mad 250 miles in a car is a long way never mind trying to run it. saying that if anybody can do it its you.P.S dont forget not to sprint off at the start save the sprint for the finish.HAHA

Steffan · #4 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 588 Location: Basildon

All the best Ernie and Gary, have a good 'un.

bobby · #2 Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 258

Incomprehensible, but we will be right behind you. Well not right behind you, but there somewhere. Good luck.

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

Well it looks like this Race finally gets to happen.
This tapering lark over the past couple of weeks has nearly drove me Spare so I'll be glad to hit the trail.
Will be leaving Tuesday morning to have a relaxing day in Streatley and will meet up with Gaza that night for pre-race meal/drinks and to discuss Race Tactics.
And yes I am confident but I dont dwell too much on the obvious consequences or I probably wouldn't make the Start line.
With myself I have a big advantage in that when things get tough I become more determined.
I am treating this as a Race and not just to make the Finish Line but whether it becomes a Race of desperation or not we will have to see.
This is an extra 105 miles longer than anything I've raced before so going very much into unknown territory.
I'm up for it and I'm as fit and injury free as I'll ever be so I have no excuses not to finish.
Failure is not an option.

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

Ernie i dont doubt for one minute that you will finish this and finish up near the leaders ! personally i would be as happy as a happy person to just finish with both feet still attached to my legs.............if this race was a power of the mind only i too would be up with the leaders !!! as pain is not an option i understand .. but unfourtanatley it involves the rest of my body tooo

I cannot believe how much kit iam taking ! probably more shoes than a two week holiday in Florida !!! Karl dont worry this time i have remembered my lucky shorts and you will not have too rush them to the start line !!!

Ernie ..iam catching train at 2 pm so should land in Goring about 5 pm and will be about whenever your ready !!!!!!!!!!!

JBD · #3 Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 317

I feel quite jealous of this momentous feat that you guys are attempting, whilst at the same time recalling that i only just managed 8 miles or so this morning !

Good luck both....inspirational stuff !

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Those of us who know you Ernie do not doubt for one moment you can do it. As Graham said if anyone can you can. See you on Tuesday after for Richmond field efforts then? :blackeye:

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

JBD ......HONESTLY YOU CAN HAVE MY PLACE IF YOU WANT !!!!

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

You know you don't mean that Gary you can't wait!! :blackeye:

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

Gaza as for determination.....you have it 100 % all you need to do is to keep going and above all else "Enjoy the Pain !" and you'll get there.

Stevie · #3 Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 452 Location: Benfleet

All the best with this Ultra of Ultras Guys, ill def be following your progress :notworthy:

mikemoreton · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:52 am Post subject:

All the very best to both of you.

Sprint finish?

Regards

MM2

Karl C · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:33 pm Post subject:

I have updated this tracking page, to include a table of Checkpoints (CP) and times/distances etc. I will keep this up-to-date as much as I can, and also update here if I can't get to ftp anything for a while....

http://www.benfleetrunningclub.com/thames.ring.2009/

Mike Mason · #7 Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 1055 Location: Hockley

Best of luck guys. I fly back from the land of the Vampire finally on Friday and will ensure I pop in to Intensive Care after the race to wish you my best.

fantastic effort just to get to the start line for something like this. Please make the Caring Club even prouder of you...

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'.

Graham · #3 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 395

Nail it boys!!!

Best of luck to you.

Pete the OLD one · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Benfleet

Good Luck Gary and Ernie. Will definitely be following your progress on line. Your already winners in my book for just having the guts to enter this gruelling challange.

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

Well leaving shortly for Streatley so this hopefully will be my last e-mail for at least a few days.

Thankyou all for so many positive comments and although I know some of you secretly think that I wont finish I would have preferred you to have said so as negative comments can sometimes help me to become more determined as well.

I will be sending Karl only my "Checkpoint Leaving Times" for him to post so not to be too concerned with my times as I could be lounging around in a Pub Beer Garden or whatever.

This is not about physical strength it is a mind thing.... and I will need to use every trick I can to get myself to the Finish Line.

I'll get there.

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

Morning boys & girls..............As Ernie mentioned hopefully you wont be hearing from us once the race starts until Sat/ Sun ..... cant believe i told Karl i was treating this as a holiday !!!! keep the comments coming as i have my laptop in my kitbag ! so hope to put a few more pre race comments on web site .. stay safe Gaza & Ernie

Ps First panic of the day cant find me lucky sunglasses !

Graham · #3 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 395

Hey Ernie - you haven't got a snowflakes chance in hell of finishing this you useless washed up Aussie pensioner. My litte girl can run further than you in her pink ballet shoes!!

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Colin Graham C and I were all having a right laugh last night on our run saying if that slow Aussie git thinks he's ever going to finish that race he's in cloud cuckoo land! And how much faster we could all run without that plodding Ernie holding us up. You've got no chance mate - I have got a better chance of finishing it than you wearing Graham's daughter's pink ballet shoes!!!!

Ernie · #2 Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 240 Location: Hockley GORC

Thats more like it!
Keep it up Guys.

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

Wher is MM1 WHEN YOU NEED HIM !!!!

mikemoreton · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject:

Well, I am no substitute for MM1, but here goes:

How dare you say Ernie is a plodder, I cant keep up with him. Still I can drink more!

Ernie has more chance of stepping in rocking horse sh*t than finishing.
As for Gazza..............Pah, he only just managed 150 miles!!

Good luck though!!

runningman · #2 Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Location: my office

Morning boys and girls... its 6 am here in streatley ..up early fab sunny and hot day already cant wait for the start .. Ernie wants more abuse from this caring club please ..impressed the laptop works as getting a phone signal here is a nightmare as were in the middle of back and beyond...BRING IT ON .....GAZA & THE ERN MASTER

Jez · #2 Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 291 Location: Eastwood

Well we know that the Kiwi and the glorified Traffic warden wont make it all the way round so CCMA Bookmakers have got a book running as to how far each will get.

Gaza 5-1 to get 150 miles(hes got previous!)
Ernie 6-1 to go no further than 145( throw an Aussie strop, find a pub and drown his sorrows)

one or the other to be trampled by a cow, 25-1

odds that this is actually a canoe race and they havent read the rules properly 15-1

For any other odds or for in play betting contact CCMA
, All bets considered!
_________________
Jez

www.justjez.co.uk

mikemoreton · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:49 pm Post subject:

Anyone to collect my broken treadmill......... 100/1

Oh and the aussie twit cant drink like us. 2 wine gums and hes with the fairies. Which reminds me, Gazza, you wont beat Ernie!

My bet is on the Tortoise winning. And, doing the distance within the time.

MM2