Jurassic Coast Challenge 2008
78.6miles (minimum) - 3 Marathons over 3 days on the South West Coastal Path. – although I clocked up closer to 85 miles.
A brief and hopefully not too boring history of the event:
Used as a training event for ultra runners, triathletes and marathoners or simply as a challenge for its own sake the votwo Jurassic Coast Challenge continues to build on it’s success and popularity year on year.
This is how it came about…
In 1984 legendary votwo running coach Paul Hart set off with aspiring young marathon runner Brent Jones to run the Dorset section of the South West Coastal Path as endurance training prior to the London Marathon. Fuelled by fruit cakes and coffees they ticked off the 75 or so miles in just 2 days stopping at cafes and an Osmington Mills B&B on the way. The training obviously worked with Brent going on to break the British Junior marathon record clocking well under 2hrs 18min at the next London Marathon.
In the pub a few slightly disturbed individuals with nothing better to do heard about the run from Andy and Ian and decided that it would be a good idea to try the route in 2006 as they prepared for Ironmans and marathon races; so the JCC was born as an ‘event.’
Run over mildly more sensible 3 days, 12 of them finished it that year, wore their hooded tops with pride and started to spread the word for 2007.
Taking on board the comments of competitors from 2007 it was decided to make the 2008 event a full blown 3 marathons (total 78.6miles) over 3 days instead of the rather weak 75miles of previous years and that is where the event is at right now.
Day 1 – Lyme Regis to Chickerell (Weymouth) – a write off for me and not my fault!!!
‘Damn, I’m going to have to cancel the girls from Hawaiian Tropic, we won’t be needing the sun tan lotion’ was the first thought in the mind of votwo events director Ben Mason as he looked out of the window on Friday morning at the start of the Jurassic Coast Challenge 2008. Luckily the event registration tents at Chickerell’s Lugger Inn had survived a battering from the wind and rain all night and were still standing as the mad/bad/brave/insane (delete as appropriate) competitors arrived to sign on to walk, jog run or crawl the first of 3 beautiful but beastly tough 26.2mile coastal marathons over 3 days.
‘Challenging conditions befitting a challenging event’ would have been the marketing mans line to sum up the pouring rain and strong SSW winds that tested the athletes as they lined up to collect their race numbers.
‘Typical bloody English weather’ was the more down to earth assessment made by one of the runners as they took shelter and awaited a luxurious mini bus transfer to Dorset’s most Westerly coastal town; Lyme Regis, for the start.
Chasing down a group of walkers who had started a couple of hours earlier this massive group soon started to split up as everyone found their own rhythm and pace on the unforgiving hilly terrain of the first section. Taking in Charmouth, Seatown, The Golden Cap and heading for Burton Bradstock for the rough half way point for the day most of the hills were done and dusted in the first half of the first day.
Sandwiches, chocolate bars, mule bars and gallons of coca cola disappeared in double quick time from the checkpoints on route as the smiles on competitors faces went from beaming at CP1 to fairly happy at CP2 to a forced grin (or a can’t be bothered to pretend anymore grimace) at CP3 where they had to deviate inland slightly through the Abbotsbury Swannery to edge around Fleet Lagoon and complete the nasty, dragging last 8 miles to the finish.
‘Utterly soul destroying……I loved it’ was a contender for quote of the day summing up that final 8 mile section that brought the runners back to the warm pasta and friendly faces of the votwo finish tent for a much needed sit down and massage. Most of the field were back before the weather got bored of being kind and got all nasty again, hammering the area with more rain and strong gusts of wind. With everyone in and accounted for just as the light faded out organiser Ben breathed a significant sigh of relief and attention turned to preparing for another hard day at the office tomorrow. The Lugger Inn were happy and indeed eager to provide the opportunity of a couple of hard earned pints over which to tell stories of struggle, hardship and fatigue before most competitors decided to hit the hay early and get some shut eye prior to Saturdays stage. Despite the fact it was offered no-one took the opportunity of free shuttle bus to the night clubs of Weymouth……….clearly getting in amongst the stag dos and hen parties was one challenge too far for these athletes.
Stats from the day
Starters: 91
Finishers: 90
Fastest times: 4hrs 35min Steve Hilton and Lucy Brooks, 4hrs 37min Neil Thubron
Slowest time: 8hrs 56min
Most mileage recorded on a GPS by someone who didn’t read their map and went wrong: 29.8miles, doh!
Day 2 Chickerell to Lulworth Cove.
With many variations on staggering and limping on show the main group of runners left the Lugger Inn en masse at around 10am for the start of day 2. The air was dry and the mood optimistic but the wind was winding itself up for a big one as votwo JCC veterans Mark Day and Alan Crewe lead the runners onto the coast path once more.
The initial terrain on the way to Weymouth was characterised by mud, mud and mud with the slippery surface sadly claiming the JCC’s first ever broken bone with poor old Paul Hudson unfortunately treating himself to a broken ankle and having to withdraw to the local A and E for further inspections. Does this go to prove that some people will go to extraordinary lengths to get out of a challenging situation ;-) ? Get well soon Paul from all at votwo.
Once off the mud the runners hit the new Portland leg of the 2008 route which was required to boost the mileage into the desired 42.2km marathon range. Due to the high winds some ‘through and off’ drafting techniques from the world of cycling were employed by votwo coach Doug Hall as he encouraged a group of 12 or so along the seemingly endless section between Portland and the mainland.
Upon arrival on Portland many navigational indiscretions were evident as all manner of routes were ‘selected’ by the runners to find CP1 of the day. One or two of these apparently involved a sight seeing tour of the local quarry which was reportedly ‘delightful’.
An ominous sign in these early stages was the darkening skies and presence of some rain in the air – a factor that was to set the tone for the rest of the day. With Portland finally cleared everyone moved onto the Weymouth sea front (ahh smell those fish and chips) where votwo’s Pete Mason was at CP2 to mark off the numbers and display his fine buns (cheese and pickle or tuna?) for the athletes to nibble at.
At this point the rain and wind was really making a statement – and clearly it was very angry, with ever more forceful gusts and heavier showers drilling the runners as they mounted the coast path proper once more bound for Osmington Mills.
Oliver Sinclair was a man with a point to prove on day 2 after missing out on a possible fastest time of the day by adding some ‘voluntary’ extra mileage due to navigational embarrassment on day 1. He flew into the Osmington Mills CP alone in front and was soon out onto what really is the signature section of the whole event.
Equal in its brutality and beauty the 7 or so miles from Osmington to Lulworth takes in the steep paths of Ringstead Bay, White Nothe and the legendary photography spot of Durdle door before plunging the athletes on a roller coaster descent to the finish at Lulworth Cove. They use this section of coastline to make and break Royal Marine Commandos so it was inevitable that a bunch of guys and girls in tight lycra were going to be in for a trying time to say the very least…..
The weather seemed determined to match the hideous nature of the terrain with lashing gales and constant heavy rain, threatening to blow the lighter competitors off their feet (that will teach them to be so skinny). The CPs were doing a roaring trade in hot tea at this point and at the finish the buses filled with wet and tired athletes dreaming of hot baths and secreting considering if they could get letters from their mums to excuse them from the start line the next day (the only legitimate way to be let off commencing the final leg). The wind and rain was certainly the talking point of the day and the gusts got stronger and the rain heavier as the stories told at the Lugger Inn bar were fuelled by a few local beers and pear ciders.
Oliver Sinclair (who allegedly only took up running 2 years ago) held his form, went the correct way and took the stage honours with day ones fastest, Lucy Brooks and Steve Hilton, rolling in a solid 2nd place showing real grit and endurance once more. The stats also told a significant tale of their own with 14 DNFs compared with just the 1 on day one.
Day 3 – Lulworth Cove to Studland (the finish line).
Maybe it was just good luck or maybe some serious praying in the Lugger Inn paid dividends as day 3 dawned for the 3 day competitors with blue skies and no real wind for the start at Lulworth Cove.
Hobbling was evidently the preferred method of transport for those who had experienced days 1 and 2. Those who had just turned up for the one day were looking out of place with their even running gait and overly clean and shiney kit, but the first section over the Lulworth ranges soon evened things out a bit.
The marvellous weather could not have been a more direct contrast to the previous day and Ben could be heard apologising profusely to the big man upstairs for what he had called him the day before.
The course for day 3 took over where day 2 left off with massive undulations over the ranges to Kimmeridge for CP1. Fantastic surf had drawn at crowd at the bay with more than a few surfers wondering what was happening in their car park as very weary looking people in tight clothing staggered in, were fed soup, tea and cheese rolls before heading off past the tower to smile at Dave and Tessa (event photographers, comprehensive CD of top quality event images will be available to purchase see the end of this rambling report for full details).
Once again it was Oliver Sinclair who was leading the single day charge with a determined look and Steve and Lucy breathing down his neck. votwo guide for the day Eliot Challifour was running well with the dynamic duo at this point, however having been in bed with the flu earlier in the week he was forced to slow later on and stroll in mid pack. This would not normally be worthy of a mention but anytime Eliot is beaten by a girl it needs to be heavily publicised on the website!
From Kimmeridge the increasingly tiring athletes conquered Hounds Tout, Chapmans Pool and St Aldhelms head before reaching Peverill point and the last CP before the finish. From here it was up and over Ballard down before a simple jaunt along the beach to the final turn around point and back to the end of the challenge. Oliver (clearly on a navigational roll the last 2 days) led them home to claim his second ‘Golden trainer’ award and normal order ruled as Lucy and Steve were once again in together joint 2nd.
All in all the 2008 JCC was an event that will be remembered for the amazing contrasts in conditions and the equally amazing resilience and determination of the competitors. Well done to all who took part and we hope to see you at the Atlantic Coast Challenge in September:
‘More of the same but with a bigger emphasis on pasties’
is how event manager Ben describes the event and you can handily click here for more information on that one.
Summing it up…..A few quotes from the event:
Paul Hart (inspiration behind the event):
‘I think it’s fantastic. I love the camaraderie, the organisation and the feel of the whole thing. I am so pleased that a simple training run from 1984 has inspired such an event and as it will be 25 year next year I may even be back with Brent to have a run myself!’
Closing facts about the 2008 JCC:
Number of bananas eaten by competitors: 452
Number of filled rolls eaten by competitors: 803
Number of massages done at the finish line: 38 (Disappointingly only 2 ‘extras’ were purchased with the massages)
Number of Mule Bars eaten: Lots and lots
Number of competitors over from the USA for the event: 2 Yee haa, high five guys!
78.6miles (minimum) - 3 Marathons over 3 days on the South West Coastal Path. – although I clocked up closer to 85 miles.
A brief and hopefully not too boring history of the event:
This is how it came about…
In 1984 legendary votwo running coach Paul Hart set off with aspiring young marathon runner Brent Jones to run the Dorset section of the South West Coastal Path as endurance training prior to the London Marathon. Fuelled by fruit cakes and coffees they ticked off the 75 or so miles in just 2 days stopping at cafes and an Osmington Mills B&B on the way. The training obviously worked with Brent going on to break the British Junior marathon record clocking well under 2hrs 18min at the next London Marathon.
In the pub a few slightly disturbed individuals with nothing better to do heard about the run from Andy and Ian and decided that it would be a good idea to try the route in 2006 as they prepared for Ironmans and marathon races; so the JCC was born as an ‘event.’
Run over mildly more sensible 3 days, 12 of them finished it that year, wore their hooded tops with pride and started to spread the word for 2007.
Taking on board the comments of competitors from 2007 it was decided to make the 2008 event a full blown 3 marathons (total 78.6miles) over 3 days instead of the rather weak 75miles of previous years and that is where the event is at right now.
Day 1 – Lyme Regis to Chickerell (Weymouth) – a write off for me and not my fault!!!
‘Damn, I’m going to have to cancel the girls from Hawaiian Tropic, we won’t be needing the sun tan lotion’ was the first thought in the mind of votwo events director Ben Mason as he looked out of the window on Friday morning at the start of the Jurassic Coast Challenge 2008. Luckily the event registration tents at Chickerell’s Lugger Inn had survived a battering from the wind and rain all night and were still standing as the mad/bad/brave/insane (delete as appropriate) competitors arrived to sign on to walk, jog run or crawl the first of 3 beautiful but beastly tough 26.2mile coastal marathons over 3 days.
‘Challenging conditions befitting a challenging event’ would have been the marketing mans line to sum up the pouring rain and strong SSW winds that tested the athletes as they lined up to collect their race numbers.
‘Typical bloody English weather’ was the more down to earth assessment made by one of the runners as they took shelter and awaited a luxurious mini bus transfer to Dorset’s most Westerly coastal town; Lyme Regis, for the start.
Chasing down a group of walkers who had started a couple of hours earlier this massive group soon started to split up as everyone found their own rhythm and pace on the unforgiving hilly terrain of the first section. Taking in Charmouth, Seatown, The Golden Cap and heading for Burton Bradstock for the rough half way point for the day most of the hills were done and dusted in the first half of the first day.
Sandwiches, chocolate bars, mule bars and gallons of coca cola disappeared in double quick time from the checkpoints on route as the smiles on competitors faces went from beaming at CP1 to fairly happy at CP2 to a forced grin (or a can’t be bothered to pretend anymore grimace) at CP3 where they had to deviate inland slightly through the Abbotsbury Swannery to edge around Fleet Lagoon and complete the nasty, dragging last 8 miles to the finish.
‘Utterly soul destroying……I loved it’ was a contender for quote of the day summing up that final 8 mile section that brought the runners back to the warm pasta and friendly faces of the votwo finish tent for a much needed sit down and massage. Most of the field were back before the weather got bored of being kind and got all nasty again, hammering the area with more rain and strong gusts of wind. With everyone in and accounted for just as the light faded out organiser Ben breathed a significant sigh of relief and attention turned to preparing for another hard day at the office tomorrow. The Lugger Inn were happy and indeed eager to provide the opportunity of a couple of hard earned pints over which to tell stories of struggle, hardship and fatigue before most competitors decided to hit the hay early and get some shut eye prior to Saturdays stage. Despite the fact it was offered no-one took the opportunity of free shuttle bus to the night clubs of Weymouth……….clearly getting in amongst the stag dos and hen parties was one challenge too far for these athletes.
Stats from the day
Starters: 91
Finishers: 90
Fastest times: 4hrs 35min Steve Hilton and Lucy Brooks, 4hrs 37min Neil Thubron
Slowest time: 8hrs 56min
Most mileage recorded on a GPS by someone who didn’t read their map and went wrong: 29.8miles, doh!
Day 2 Chickerell to Lulworth Cove.
With many variations on staggering and limping on show the main group of runners left the Lugger Inn en masse at around 10am for the start of day 2. The air was dry and the mood optimistic but the wind was winding itself up for a big one as votwo JCC veterans Mark Day and Alan Crewe lead the runners onto the coast path once more.
The initial terrain on the way to Weymouth was characterised by mud, mud and mud with the slippery surface sadly claiming the JCC’s first ever broken bone with poor old Paul Hudson unfortunately treating himself to a broken ankle and having to withdraw to the local A and E for further inspections. Does this go to prove that some people will go to extraordinary lengths to get out of a challenging situation ;-) ? Get well soon Paul from all at votwo.
Once off the mud the runners hit the new Portland leg of the 2008 route which was required to boost the mileage into the desired 42.2km marathon range. Due to the high winds some ‘through and off’ drafting techniques from the world of cycling were employed by votwo coach Doug Hall as he encouraged a group of 12 or so along the seemingly endless section between Portland and the mainland.
Upon arrival on Portland many navigational indiscretions were evident as all manner of routes were ‘selected’ by the runners to find CP1 of the day. One or two of these apparently involved a sight seeing tour of the local quarry which was reportedly ‘delightful’.
An ominous sign in these early stages was the darkening skies and presence of some rain in the air – a factor that was to set the tone for the rest of the day. With Portland finally cleared everyone moved onto the Weymouth sea front (ahh smell those fish and chips) where votwo’s Pete Mason was at CP2 to mark off the numbers and display his fine buns (cheese and pickle or tuna?) for the athletes to nibble at.
At this point the rain and wind was really making a statement – and clearly it was very angry, with ever more forceful gusts and heavier showers drilling the runners as they mounted the coast path proper once more bound for Osmington Mills.
Oliver Sinclair was a man with a point to prove on day 2 after missing out on a possible fastest time of the day by adding some ‘voluntary’ extra mileage due to navigational embarrassment on day 1. He flew into the Osmington Mills CP alone in front and was soon out onto what really is the signature section of the whole event.
Equal in its brutality and beauty the 7 or so miles from Osmington to Lulworth takes in the steep paths of Ringstead Bay, White Nothe and the legendary photography spot of Durdle door before plunging the athletes on a roller coaster descent to the finish at Lulworth Cove. They use this section of coastline to make and break Royal Marine Commandos so it was inevitable that a bunch of guys and girls in tight lycra were going to be in for a trying time to say the very least…..
The weather seemed determined to match the hideous nature of the terrain with lashing gales and constant heavy rain, threatening to blow the lighter competitors off their feet (that will teach them to be so skinny). The CPs were doing a roaring trade in hot tea at this point and at the finish the buses filled with wet and tired athletes dreaming of hot baths and secreting considering if they could get letters from their mums to excuse them from the start line the next day (the only legitimate way to be let off commencing the final leg). The wind and rain was certainly the talking point of the day and the gusts got stronger and the rain heavier as the stories told at the Lugger Inn bar were fuelled by a few local beers and pear ciders.
Oliver Sinclair (who allegedly only took up running 2 years ago) held his form, went the correct way and took the stage honours with day ones fastest, Lucy Brooks and Steve Hilton, rolling in a solid 2nd place showing real grit and endurance once more. The stats also told a significant tale of their own with 14 DNFs compared with just the 1 on day one.
Day 3 – Lulworth Cove to Studland (the finish line).
Maybe it was just good luck or maybe some serious praying in the Lugger Inn paid dividends as day 3 dawned for the 3 day competitors with blue skies and no real wind for the start at Lulworth Cove.
Hobbling was evidently the preferred method of transport for those who had experienced days 1 and 2. Those who had just turned up for the one day were looking out of place with their even running gait and overly clean and shiney kit, but the first section over the Lulworth ranges soon evened things out a bit.
The marvellous weather could not have been a more direct contrast to the previous day and Ben could be heard apologising profusely to the big man upstairs for what he had called him the day before.
The course for day 3 took over where day 2 left off with massive undulations over the ranges to Kimmeridge for CP1. Fantastic surf had drawn at crowd at the bay with more than a few surfers wondering what was happening in their car park as very weary looking people in tight clothing staggered in, were fed soup, tea and cheese rolls before heading off past the tower to smile at Dave and Tessa (event photographers, comprehensive CD of top quality event images will be available to purchase see the end of this rambling report for full details).
Once again it was Oliver Sinclair who was leading the single day charge with a determined look and Steve and Lucy breathing down his neck. votwo guide for the day Eliot Challifour was running well with the dynamic duo at this point, however having been in bed with the flu earlier in the week he was forced to slow later on and stroll in mid pack. This would not normally be worthy of a mention but anytime Eliot is beaten by a girl it needs to be heavily publicised on the website!
From Kimmeridge the increasingly tiring athletes conquered Hounds Tout, Chapmans Pool and St Aldhelms head before reaching Peverill point and the last CP before the finish. From here it was up and over Ballard down before a simple jaunt along the beach to the final turn around point and back to the end of the challenge. Oliver (clearly on a navigational roll the last 2 days) led them home to claim his second ‘Golden trainer’ award and normal order ruled as Lucy and Steve were once again in together joint 2nd.
All in all the 2008 JCC was an event that will be remembered for the amazing contrasts in conditions and the equally amazing resilience and determination of the competitors. Well done to all who took part and we hope to see you at the Atlantic Coast Challenge in September:
‘More of the same but with a bigger emphasis on pasties’
is how event manager Ben describes the event and you can handily click here for more information on that one.
Summing it up…..A few quotes from the event:
Paul Hart (inspiration behind the event):
‘I think it’s fantastic. I love the camaraderie, the organisation and the feel of the whole thing. I am so pleased that a simple training run from 1984 has inspired such an event and as it will be 25 year next year I may even be back with Brent to have a run myself!’
Closing facts about the 2008 JCC:
Number of bananas eaten by competitors: 452
Number of filled rolls eaten by competitors: 803
Number of massages done at the finish line: 38 (Disappointingly only 2 ‘extras’ were purchased with the massages)
Number of Mule Bars eaten: Lots and lots
Number of competitors over from the USA for the event: 2 Yee haa, high five guys!
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