By Susan Chambers

“I entered the 100 mile Bamburgh to Edinburgh Rat Race event without a second thought.. lovely ! However, when I updated my calendar for 2025 ….July suddenly looked busy. Then I realised – 19/07 was a 100 miler and a week later, oh yes……that other race I had a place for….so lucky me, a 50 miler round the Lakes (aka Lakeland 50) .

“I just thought “in for a penny in for a high mileage July” !

“I do enjoy longer distances and set about training, planning the picnic along the way as what works for some definitely doesn’t work for me. Training for races is not all about the miles to be covered, but trainers, socks and kit. Planning for the 100 was fun , honest! It’s not all long distance,s but back to back runs, finding places that you can get good elevation and simply playing out. Rat Race events are well organised and I have completed The Wall three times, so knew that check points would be well stocked and bit like a Sainsbury’s pop up shop. 

“July quickly approached and plans were made to travel on Friday to register and stay overnight to be fresh for a 7am start. Weather was scheduled to be wet at times … and the rest! Saturday morning arrived and it was great to see Kieran on the start line to have a friendly chat and share our race strategies: i.e. “see what happens eh?” The route was lovely, undulating, hugging the coast and every golf course in the land that Scotland has, so many! 

“Damp conditions soon became wet then a bit wetter, the coastal views soon disappeared into the clag and before lunch time it was wave after wave of poncho runners as a lovely lady from a shop handed them out, taking pity over the bedraggled runners. 

“The pit stops were really well stocked and there was something for everyone no matter what dietary requirements were needed – fab ! 

“St Abs head loomed and was very pretty even in the grim conditions, but what came after was boggy, slippery slidey climbs and the section that gently lead you into the night – what a Saturday night out out i had! I have memories of run/stagger repeat by a harbour wall behind a power station, I know how to party 

“The 60 mile point was Dunbar and a sports hall pit stop where bodies stretched out amongst tables of pasta, drop bags and flakey, trenchy feet were getting stuck together Blue Peter style with sticky back tape. As I left here, the sun soon greeted me as did more golf courses and cliff edges . After a months rain in a day, Sunday was looking not too bad .. onwards to the last pit stop and a final push on towards Arthur’s seat in Hollywood Park.

“Signage was great , counting down the last few miles and whoah a million steps .. whose idea was that? There must have been 20 sets of steps leading to the park and finally the Royal Mile – yes final mile was up up up and dodging many tourists who I nearly harpooned with my poles! At last I was at the castle to turn abruptly right to head down to Princess Gardens and yes more steps but then a great run into the finish and 100 miles completed ! Now rest recover and oh yes a drink in a close by Wetherspoons. Jamie had popped up to support at Eyemouth then run the last few miles with me which was great . Once I sat down I felt rather faint so laid down under the table , when a staff member approached Jamie who explained I was fine, I had ran a 100 miles, she stated that’s not the usual reason for laying on the floor in a Weatherspoons!!!

“It was a great event, but that’s done bring on the Lakeland 50 .

“This race is well known and I have never done it before so thought just go, relax , enjoy it and that’s exactly what I did . 

“I stood on the start beside good friends with a plan to finish no matter what and enjoy the scenery oh and the picnic . 

“It’s a great route and the sun was out. Check point to check point was the plan, the day passed really quickly and I felt surprisingly good . 

“Each check point has a theme so it was lovely running into each one and every person helping was fab , highly recommend this event but perhaps not always after a 100! 

Again lots of familiar faces along the way and lovely chats always make a difference. The finish tent appeared, a cup of tea was poured and feet up, job completed with fab company. 

No matter what distance you stand on the start line of, just go for it, plan, prepare and pack a picnic – but enjoy the whole process as it’s always worth it … the following week I mainly slept and drank tea