Ultra Discussion Thread

kave2 · 13-08-2025 03:59PM

HI folks, was thinking about signing up for KWU Nite. However I haven't training particularly for ultra, currently in marathon training block for DCM. My longest race was BYU in June - 62km so this would be good bit longer. Is this a good idea? 😆

Cut off time is 24 hours which I feel is doable.

No doubt it's going to be very difficult challenge as it would be my first proper ultra but I just cannot take my mind off it.

Or should I just leave until next year?

Thanks a lot.

Enduro · 13-08-2025 06:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123719747#Comment_123719747

Go for it. Marathon training is perfectly fine for ultras. The main thing you need is the drive and determination to keep going, which it sounds like you have. Get the pacing right, start out much much easier than if you were running a marathon.

And what's the worst that happens… you don't finish. So what! You'll have learned loads regardless. But chances are you will finish.

opus · 15-08-2025 11:16AM

I'd agree with Enduro, just go for it! I've done it just the once in '23 where I managed to catch a dose of something the week leading up to it. Meant I treated it like a long hike than any sort of trail run but I didn't have a problem finishing under the cut-off (apart from feeling like crap 🙂).

Hasbaralies · 29-08-2025 09:10AM

UTMB coverage yesterday was fantastic, Whamsley was his usual legendary self in the OCC and in the womans Joyline Chepngeno (first UTMB winner from Kenya) beat defending champion Miao Yao in a good battle. My favorite today, the CCC starts in a little while.

In the womans I reckoon its between Xiang and McCann and the mens I would think the Italian Puppi must be favorite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbFxu9vf8Yk&ab_channel=HOKAUTMBMont-Blanc

Enduro · 30-08-2025 02:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123764981#Comment_123764981

In the middle of the big one right now, the UTMB itself. Close running in the male race at halfway. Still anyone's there. Impressive performances by 3 British runners (Captain Tom, Albon, and Wade).

In the female race Courtney is in front, but not by a commanding margin yet. Still, being the GOAT, you'd be brave to bet against her winning.

But what I've really being looking forward to is seeing how Ireland's top female Ultra runner will do here. Emma Stuart has worked her way up to 10th, and 4th in her age category. That would be an awesome finishing position (and would get her on the podium for the main prize giving, which goes to 10th, as well as being about 10 minutes off getting on her AG podium as I type). But Emma excels at multi-days, so its more likely she'll gain than lose places as the race goes on. Great to watch from afar.

Hasbaralies · 30-08-2025 09:01AM

They just mentioned Emma Stuart, currently in 9th, fantastic

Enduro · 30-08-2025 06:05PM

Jaysus, getting interesting now for Emma. On the last descent in 11th, with Courtney in front of her moving slowly. The website is projecting Courtney to be 10th by 10 minutes, but its going to be close.

No matter what, 11th will be the best ever Irish result in UTMB. And she locked in for second in her age group. An age group podium in the most competitive ultra trail race in the world is fantastic. She'll be the first Irish female to achieve that.