The Ultramarathon and Trail Running section is an official sub-section of WDAC made up of runners who seek to either take their running beyond the marathon distance, or who prefer running off-road on trails or rocky terrain for any length of distance.
** An Ultramarathon is a race of any distance over that of a marathon (26.2 miles).
** Trail Running tends to traverse varying terrain; hills, mountains, fields, deserts, forests, and narrow passages are common. Likewise, steep inclines or rough terrain sometimes may require hiking or scrambling. Runners participating in trail runs must often ascend and descend thousands of feet.
Training
Informal runs are often organised at various times throughout the week – usually shorter distances (up to 90mins) on Wednesday night and Friday nights and much longer distances on a Saturday or Sunday. These runs are often along local trails. Get in touch with Gary Thacker on a club night (Gary usually runs with Group 2/3)
Trail Running Championship
For the 2019 season, W&DAC are holding an Ultramarathon & Trail Series Championship. This Championship will comprise of the following races:
| #1 | Irchester Dirt Run – tbc | 5-15k | 27th Jan |
| #2 | 3 counties xc – Wootton | >5m | 27th Jan |
| #3 | Welly Trail | 10k-1/2 marathon | 17th Feb |
| #4 | Dukeries | 10m | 23rd Feb |
| #5 | Carsington Water | 10k & 1/2 marathon | 24th Feb |
| #6 | Belvoior Challenge | 15m & Marathon | 2nd Mar |
| #7 | Peatling Challenge | 7 or 13 m | 10th Mar |
| #8 | Ashridge | 16.5m | 16th Mar |
| #9 | Charnwood Challenge | 15 or 27m | 23rd Mar |
| #10 | Obelisk Obble | 15 or 20m | Mar/Apr tbc |
| #11 | Rutland Water | 13.1m | 14th Apr |
| #12 | Northampton Cakeathon | 5.6 mile loops in 6 hours | 20 & 21st Apr |
| #13 | Dukeries | 30 or 40 miles | 11th May |
| #14 | Woodhouse May Day Challenge | 13.5m | 6th May tbc |
| #15 | Hathersage Hurtle | 20m | 18th May tbc |
| #16 | Otmore Challenge | 1/2 Marathon | 1st June tbc |
| #17 | Shires & Spires | 35m | 2nd June |
| #18 | Farthingstone Foot Festival | 11 or 26m | 8th June tbc |
| #19 | Colworth Marathon Challenge | 5m, 8.1 & 1/2 marathon | 21st-23rd June tbc |
| #20 | Adderbury Challenge | 10K or 1/2 marathon | 7th July |
| #21 | Hannington Hike | 14, 19 or 27m | 14th July tbc |
| #22 | Dovedale Dipper | 15 or 26m | 4th August |
| #23 | Dunstable Challenge | 1/2, 20m or marathon | 1st September |
| #24 | Harvest Trail | 1/4 & 1/2 marathon | 17th Sept tbc |
| #25 | Squeaky Bone Relay | 3.5m each (team of 4) | 29th Sept |
| #26 | Ampthill Trophy | 10k | 20th Oct tbc |
| #27 | Broadway Half | 1/2 marathon | 17th Nov |
| #28 | Asterix Amble | 15 m | Nov tbc |
| #29 | 3 Counties XC – North Herts Runners | >5 miles | Dec tbc |
In order to take part in the Trail Championships, at least six races must be completed, which must include at least 3 events of different distances.
Points will be awarded as follows: 5k=1pt; 10k=2pt 11k-10miles=3pt; 11-25miles=4pt; Marathon distance=5pt; 30miles=6pt 40+=7pts
You will be awarded an additional 2 points for completing the whole Colworth Marathon Challenge. An additional 3 points for marshalling the Welly Trail and 1 point for marshalling the WDAC XC event.
In event of a tie the person/s completing the most events will be the winner.
It will be each individuals responsibility to inform either Lynda Rowse or Amanda Davies with evidence of which event and distance you have completed.
