Notes

 

This is where you will find all sorts of useful stuff, including race reports, advice from previous competitors and much more.

This section of the website is divided into sections containing articles on various aspects of the race and Ultra Running generally. The most recent articles are shown on this page, but further articles are available through the links below:

News
Official reports
Competitor reports
Training
The race
Supporting
What went wrong?
Useful links



News

Latest news and information from the organisers

19/06/2008 - Invitation to Compton Canter
All Canalrunners, past and present, will be welcome Compton Canter on July 5th. Details can be found at http://www.comptonharriers.org.uk/ (click on the canter button in the menu). The race is held in conjunction with our village fete and vehicle show, so there is plenty for the family to do while you're running. Perhaps we can have a bit of a GUCR get-together and chat over some photos and a beer or two afterwards. 25/05/2008 - NEW RECORD!
Pat Robbins (Zoom Tri Club) has set a new GUCR record at 27:01. 24/05/2008 - 29 GUCR08 Finishers
29 out of the 75 runners who started at Gas Street on Saturday morning have made it to the Finish at Little Venice. 22/05/2008 - Change of Venue for Friday Meet!
Dear All, I was informed at 17:30 hours today, Thursday, that the King's Arms will not be able to provide food Friday evening! I have been able to find a new venue. We will meet at the Red Lion, Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, B14 7LY. It is about 1 mile from the other pub and about 500 metres from the No 50 bus route that unsupported runners have been advised to use. Bus passengers should get of at Kings Heath and walk west on the A4040 to get to Vicarage Road where the pub is located. We aim to give lifts from the Red Lion to the Maypole Travelodge for those who will be without transport. If you get to the Red Lion, we will take you to the hotel car load at a time. I am very sorry for this late change of plan. I made the booking last November and spoke to someone at the King's Arms three weeks ago and on Saturday last. There was no warning until today. 09/05/2008 - Urgent request for contact from Michael and Walter
Dick would like Michael Maire and Walter Eberhard to contact him as soon as possible. If any other competitor has contact details for either or both would they please contact Michael and Walter on my behalf and ask them to email me. 24/04/2008 - Problems Obtaining GEOprojects Maps
Neil Ratcliffe at the Canal Shop now has the GEOprojects maps 1 & 3 available. You can shop online from http://www.canalshop.co.uk/acatalog/maps.html 17/05/2007 - Paddington Hotels
One or two entrants have asked about cheap hotels within a reasonable distance of the Finish. Since posting a request yesterday, Jason has emailed with details listed in the main body of this item. Many thanks Jason.

More News


Official reports

The official race reports from the organisers

2007 Race Story
The official report of the 2007 GUCR
2006 Race Story
The official report of the 2006 GUCR
The 2005 Race Story
The official report of the 2005 GUCR

More: Official reports


Competitor reports

Race reports from competitors

Tim's 2007 Race Report
2007 Winner Tim Holsgrove's Report
Jason's Story
The GUCR 145 2007 – A Tale of Three People and a Van
Mat's 2006 Video
Mat Dowle's 2006 video diary of the race

More: Competitor reports


Training

Tips from the organisers and past competitors

Vicky's Advice
Vicky Skelton, the ladies record holder, gives details of her training.
Training advice from Dick
Some brief training notes from Dick

More: Training


The race

Tips from the organisers and past competitors

Sue Clements's advice
Sue Clements shares some of the things she has found out through (often painful) experience.
Random Thoughts from Dick
Even more random thoughts - this time from me, Dick.
More Random Thoughts
Mark finished again in 2004 and has since offered more thoughts.

More: The race


Supporting

Advice for support crews

Niall's Notes on Supporting
Niall Dinwoodie’s 2006 Personal Notes on Supporting
Notes for Crews
Some very brief notes for GUCR Crews

More: Supporting


What went wrong?

Reports from those who didn't make it

Steve Hague's 2005 Report
How and why I failed – Stephen Hague – Runner 97
Thoughts from Keith Curwood
As a first timer [when he provided this] Keith Curwood offered these points so that others may learn from his mistakes.
Random Thoughts
Some 'random thoughts' from Mark Pierce who was a finisher in 2002, but thinks he may have learned more from pulling out in 2003.

More: What went wrong?


Useful links

Links to other websites you may find useful

Running Clubs
Links to some UK running clubs
Other Ultras
Links to other Ultra Races both in the UK and abroad

More: Useful links