The first day of the run sees competitors starting their run in Holyhead and completing the first section of 35.7 miles in around 10 hours in Amlwch.
Ultramarathon running may sound like a challenge that only the fittest, bravest or perhaps more “loco” would attempt but really, it’s shouldn’t be as daunting as running a traditional marathon.
Some things to note about ultramarathon running, as mentioned by some of the best runners themselves is:
- You can walk and it’s encouraged that you do: uphill sections can be tackled with walking poles and overall it’s about coming together in the spirit of a challenge
- You aren’t out to always gain a PB or even to complete the course in record time so there’s no need to run at a ridiculous pace. In order to finish, you should take your time.
- Do you love food? If you’re running the Ring Of Fire, or any other ultramarathon, you’ve given yourself carte blanche to get busy eating. To run and walk for 10 hours requires mega energy so go for it, cakes, sausage rolls, chocolate bars, soups, stews, pasta, more cake (fancy a beer) it will all be used up over the duration of the course.
- You’ll make a ton of comrades and you’ll probably cry and bond together over cramping calves, chaffing shirts and blistered feet but the majority of the endurance is in the mind and it’s a fantastic challenge overcoming that voice telling you to stop.
It has been suggested by race organisers in the past that competitors say together in the spirit of the event and they do offer a place to stay after day one.
However, should you be running as part of a larger group or should you wish to have a cheerleading section will you on to the finishing line, we thought it might be of interest to you that we happen to have some wonderfully plump beds and a steaming hot tub that we’ve been told dulls even the weariest of legs.
