£
raised for
Hector's House
as of
November 15, 2023
White Horse 50 Mile Ultramarathon
A fairly immense challenge and a relatively small team of nutters!
Where did this all begin?
The week after the team completed the London Marathon, Alex Preston is discussing the next challenge and this was prompted by epic Ironman triathlete Maeve, who wants to take on the challenge of The Tunnel 200 (a 200 hundred mile non stop ultra marathon in the dark, yes you read that right). To be able to even enter this challenge an athlete must have completed a verified official 100 mile race, most 100 mile events require 50 mile event to have been completed. The White Horse 50 mile ultra represents the most convenient way to start this qualification journey. As always with a suggestion of a challenge, Alex Preston can’t say no! Now, ideally the athletes targeted were those that have completed a marathon, this actually doesn’t ‘include’ Alex, but why should this stop him - just do it the other way round! Ultra in 2023 and the London Marathon in 2024! The team Jude Cornish a fit youngster with a 64km event already in his training, and Crispin Boylan a Marathon regular…..the team has already grown to include Jude’s father Darren with the hope of a few more…….watch this space.
The Team
Jude Cornish
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Darren Cornish
‘Training is the usual - not following any plan just getting some miles done. Managed to complete the Race to The Stones 100k on 8th July - great event but was pretty battered by the back 30k’
‘Am most excited by the chance to run as a team and particularly with Jude as a father & son combo. Most fearful of my nemesis, cramp. Hopefully it won’t show up and DNF me!"
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Alex Preston
Challenge Description
Choose between a 100 mile, 50 mile or 50km challenge, passing through historic and prehistoric locations along a treasured, long distance path. The 100 mile route passes eight white horses which are cut into the hills and turf of the chalk landscape. The White Horse Ultras, use a treasured long distance path, through Marlborough, Broad Town, Cherhill, Devizes, Steeple Ashton, Bratton and Pewsey. Along the way the route passes eight white horses (five horses on the 50 mile, four on the 50k) which are cut into the hills and turf of the chalk landscape. It also visits many other historic and prehistoric locations, passing close to the start of the Ridgeway National Trail.
- Westbury (1778) the oldest of the White Horses located on Westbury Hill, Bratton Down.
- Cherhill (1780) located east of Cherhill village beneath Oldbury Castle earthwork.
- Marlborough (1804) a small White Horse can be seen from various points around Marlborough.
- Alton Barnes (1812) on Milk Hill, a mile north of Alton Barnes village.
- Hackpen (1838) located on the edge of the Marlborough Downs.
- Broad Town (1864) three miles south of Royal Wootton Bassett.
- Pewsey (1937) set a mile south of the village
- Devizes (1999) Located on Roundway Hill, overlooking the village of Roundway
