I help out with the Trailkidz as part of the Montane Trail 26 series and entered the Trail 13 event whilst I was there.
After I'd done my foxy impression for Trailkidz I made my way to the start and got kitted out ready for the race and saw a fellow chilly looking Spartan - Jon Hawker. It was -5C and not damp and miserable like last year.
The marathoners set off 20 minutes before us. The claxon went and we were off hunting them on the undulating fire trails.
Like last year I caught the back of the marathon field about 2-3 miles in, now I see why head torches is mandatory kit for them, it's gonna be a long day for some.
Anyway I pushed on making my way through the marathon field and kept a strong pace. There was alot of ice on the trails and it was difficult to regulate temperature due to varying elevations and patches of cold fog.
There's a 2K section of off-piste that's a little technical, nothing too demanding where I had to dodge round marathoners on the single track which helped break up the fire tracks.
As we entered the last stages of the race it heads back down to the Start/Finish and I picked up a good pace, I'd checked the route before and knew it was about 14.5 miles long so decided not to go to early. As I passed runners which I assumed were the faster marathoners I gave words of encouragement and support.
A final made dash and through the finish. I guessed I landed about 20th but checking with the other finishers who I was close to they said that we'd passed alot of 1/2 marathoners who'd blown up in the later stages. So much for giving them words of support, feels abit patronising now, oh well ;)
Back to the car for a change before I got cold and I managed to catch Jon finishing strongly (sorry I missed you later Jon, I was despatched on marshalling duties).
Anyway, managed 11th in 1:44, 2 mins faster than last year despite having to take kit and it being 2.3K longer.