I’ve been a huge fan of The Ginger Runner and Billy Yang for a while now. Both are excellent runners as well as filmmakers and their GoPro isn’t ever too far away when they’re out for a run. A long time subscriber of their YouTube channels, I find myself eagerly looking forward to their next adventure – more often than not featuring amazing mountain scenery, glorious trails and regular guest appearances by some of the Ultrarunning elite.
Add to that books like Born to Run, Eat and Run, as well as Anton Kupricka’s epic logs and photos and it comes as no surprise that I’ve been flirting with going further than the 26.2 miles of a marathon to run complete my first ultra.
Last week I finally got around to watching this fantastic film by Billy Yang about Sally McRae’s very first attempt at running the Western States 100 mile race.
Watching Western Time | a Western States 100 Film finally put me over the edge.
I’ve signed up for my first ultra: the 50k Chiltern Challenge
31.64 miles – so just over 5 miles more than the longest I’ve ever run – around Buckinghamshire in July 2015. The course looks absolutely beautiful, smack bang in the Chilterns AONB. If anybody fancies coming along, you can still sign up to the Chiltern Challenge here – I’d sure love the company!
Update – G has also signed up to the run! So excited to be going at this challenge together.
Bits and Bytes 
January 8, 2015 at 11:41 am
Hey man, hope the training goes well for you, I am also signed up for this race, having completed my first 50 mile Ultra on the North Downs last year, I wanted to have a go at the 50K distance as well, look forward to seeing you on the start line. Barry Collins
July 10, 2015 at 7:33 am
Hi Barry – not sure why I’ve only just seen your comment. So sorry about that. After a 50 miler, 50k should be a more manageable affair? And tips for a first timer? Good luck with the race tomorrow, I hope to see you at the start!