Race report: London2Brighton 2023

Start of the 2023 London2Brighton

I’d usually run a mile from busy cities and crowds of other people so to find myself in London with a host of other runners, joggers and walkers on a sultry May morning was out of character.  I didn’t however run a mile, I’d run over 62 escaping the capital, arriving many hours later on a warm night at the racecourse on the outskirts of the vibrant city of Brighton.

This was the Action Challenge London 2 Brighton 100K Ultra.

If you’ve run a 100K before then you’ll identify with many of the feelings I’d experience over the 62 miles.  Nervous excitement, joy, pain, happiness, euphoria, calmness, and an overriding sense of community.  And if you are here reading my race report, one of many blog posts, training plans and social media posts you are navigating trying to find affirmation that agrees with your inner voice that this is something you should do then let me flat lay it out in front of you now; yes, you should, you really really should.

"clearly taking performance enhancing drugs at age 7"

I’ve run countless marathons, half marathons, 50K’s, 10K’s, there are just too many to recall.  If I were to scroll through Strava counting them all I’d no doubt end up with large piles of matchsticks as I counted each one off, so large that my children would think I was turning into some kind of pyromaniac.  But there’d be an empty pile on the table in front of me, and that pile would be the count for Organised Events.  

Up until the London 2 Brighton 100K I’d never taken a single running step in an organised event, allowing of course for school sports days where we were made to wear impossibly short shorts that were so tight fitting it restricted blood flow around your vitals and we were rewarded with a single Smartie after a gruelling 100 meter sprint to the death alongside Ben who even at age 7 was clearing taking performance enhancing drugs judging by the speed his legs went.  He always got the orange Smartie, bastard.

Before I dip into the reason why I found myself at 0730am on a May morning at Old Deer Park in Richmond let’s talk about the event itself.

It’s 100K in total traversing the North and South Downs before ending at the racecourse in Brighton.  The event is run by Action Challenge and is one in a series of Ultras they run in the UK each year, with L2B, as it is affectionally known, being I think the original run in their calendar.  Their website makes it clear you can run, jog or walk the distance, you can choose to do the full 100K in a single go, or split it into two days camping overnight, you may also choose other options such as attempting the first 25K.  This really is a well thought through, well organised, fun (yes 100K can be fun) and fully inclusive event.  If you want to try a 100K I can highly recommend this one.

L2B isn’t a race, it’s far from being a race and that appealed to me.  There is no oversized red timer clock at the finish line telling you how many hours your legs have been grinding away, there is however a BBQ and plenty of friendly faces cheering you on with hugely infectious smiles, even at 5 to midnight.  This is like a giant scale Parkrun; it’s meant for everyone.

Sure, if you want to run your own race to a specific time you can, you have a timing chip, there is a results page published after the event, but something tells me this is the least visited page in the excellent Action Challenge event app.  Just about everyone I was to meet along the way was not bothered by how long it was going to take them, they were soaking up the atmosphere, they were genuinely happy and celebrating with everyone around them through every mile.

I’d signed to this event as I’d turned 50 this year, it was approaching 2 years after I’d been diagnosed with testicular cancer, had my left ball removed, had chemo, and got back into the running shoes.  I was also born in Brighton.  All the stars seemed to align so I took the plunge and signed up.  And I’m glad I did.

Exploring the route to Brighton

The route is 70% ish off road, along canal paths, footpaths, trails, stony tracks, through fields of sheep, horses, and cows and into the welcome coolness of woodlands.  The other 30% does navigate towns and villages as you get out of London and a few other sections sprinkled randomly in between.  

I’d often find myself running on a pavement through a town only to be met by the cheers and well done of locals, I guess as this is the 11th year of the event, they are used to hundreds of runners coming through their town each May.  Each time I was met with this response it gave a warm feeling inside, reminding me that despite what Sky News wants to keep pushing in my face, as humans we are kind, we are decent, and we are supportive of each other.

When signing up I’d chosen the ‘self-funded option’ this means that I was not fundraising for charity this time, although you can also select to do so.  I would see many that had sported their MacMillan, Alzheimer’s, or other charity tops.  Each time I’d pass someone wearing one I’d give a gentle tap on the shoulder and thank them for supporting whichever charity it was, there is something noble about pushing your body past its limits to support others.  I’d read after the event that the day was forecast to raise over three quarters of a million pounds for various charities, this made me fall in love with the event all over again.

The train had arrived at Richmond station, late I may add as we sat at Woking for 30mins due to overrunning engineering works.  I’d imagined a train packed full of people wearing their best Under Armour gear and Nike shoes but to my surprise the train was pretty much empty, just 3 or 4 others in the carriage appeared to be headed where I was.  Exiting Richmond station gave me the first idea of how the day was to go, as you are immediately met with some of the best signage, I have ever seen directing you to the starting point, this excellent signage would be a constant throughout the day.  National Highways you could learn a thing or two from this event.

L2B 2023 startline

Quick pre-event wee in port-a-loos, collect my bib number and timing lanyard and drop off my transfer bag.  The crew at Action Challenge would transfer my bag, at no extra charge for runners I might add to the halfway point where I would switch out shoes, running top and top up my running pack with supplies I stowed in there.  The bag then is there for your arrival at the finish, this is superb organisation.

There was no doubt he'd have the time of his life

The event is started in waves over several hours, this means there are never huge queues at the start, on the course or at any of the rest stops along the way.  I’d find myself at times throughout the coming hours without another runner in front of me or behind me, admittedly not for long but it is a far cry from the hoards you see around you at the London Marathon.  As I took on my pre-workout shot and gel I chatted to a couple of guys, their names I forget but one had decided on a whim to try the 100K, the other was helping his mate get ready for this mammoth undertaking.  He was nervous, very nervous, but something inside me said no matter how far he gets today he is going to have the time of his life.

0730 came quickly and after a quick warm up by Dave who sporting his dark sunglasses gave us some vital info, a pep talk and a warmup in the style of an Ibiza DJ who is still raving from the night before, we were unleased South to plenty of cheers.

Immediately you are on the Thames Canal path and this being the start of what was to be a hot late May day it was a welcome level start.  Running alongside the majestic River Thames, through the dappled shade of willow trees and watching the world around you wake, people walking dogs or taking their early morning jog, cafes setting out tables and boat hire business preparing for a busy day ahead.  The river was a calming start to the long day ahead.  As runners, joggers, walkers passed each other there was usually a hello or a well done, a mutual respect for what we individually were taking on.

Not far after Teddington Lock, we turned left off the path, this is where I met Simon dressed in his hi-vis.  One of the many volunteers I met that day who were there to ensure your safety and enjoyment, they all had a smile and cheery word, thank you to everyone who gave up their time to make this event the success it is.  Simon however was also running with me.

Names of those affected by cancer

Those who have been touched by cancer

In the days leading up the start I posted in the Facebook Group that I was running the 100K, had recovered from cancer and would be honoured to run with 100 names on my back of those whose lives have in some way been touched by cancer.  Those receiving treatment, in remission or those we fondly remember.  The response was amazing, and I carried through every kilometre all the names of those who asked to be on my back, Simon was one of them, he asked for is Mum's name to be with me on the journey to Brighton. Even though he would be stationed for much of the day at various points on the course, he would also be present with me as we made our way to Brighton.

After Simon’s turn you spend some time navigating pavements and crossing roads.  The bright pink coloured arrows meant you knew exactly where to go so there is no having to navigate or look at your phone for directions, your focus is 100% on moving forwards.  We skirted Surbiton and other areas of outer London too before being delivered to Nonsuch Park, a pretty wooded park in which looking now at my Strava map shows me two things, first it is clearly an oasis surrounded by busy streets and houses, but you’d never know that and secondly the wiggly line shows this was my first ‘wild-wee stop’.

Out of the park you are thrown back into the urban areas again with the usual throng of Saturday traffic, and before I knew it rounded a corner at Oaks Park to a feed station, one of 7 from memory I would pass through.  This was already pit stop number 2, there has been one several KM before, you are never that far away from a refuelling and this on a hot day was welcomed.  Oaks Park is the 25KM mark and those doing the 25KM challenge finish here, it was also a little celebration time for me as I did the ‘I’m a quarter way through dance’ which I hope none of my fellow runners saw.  

Playing the mental game over 100K

My strategy for the mental game I knew I’d battle over the 100K was never to think about the total distance ahead, at any one point I would only focus on the distance to the next stop, usually between 12 – 15KM, this is a manageable distance for the brain to handle and helped me to stay away from retreating to a negative space of thinking I had soooo many more KM’s to cover today.

You are scanned in; this is useful for anyone tracking you on the website as it shows them you are still standing and headed toward Brighton.  All the feed stations/rest stops were staffed by the most amazing crew who seemed to have one single focus, you, and your needs.  There were fluids to top up water bottles and hydration packs as I was carrying, a wide array of food, medics, and cheery faces all round.

In these first few miles I’d already casually met a few people including Harvey from Eastbourne who I’d bump into several times that day as we kept leap frogging each other.  I can’t recall if I had already done so, and Strava maps isn’t too clear, but I think I had also run through a train station, yes you run through the entire station!  It was fun and brought with it bemused looks from rail travellers.

Crossing the M25

BMW drivers!

Exiting Oaks Park, the landscape was to change quite quickly, after a few tarmac KM’s here and there I found myself at a very rickety corrugated iron tunnel sitting with a causal abandonment on the edge of a field, this was the route under the M25, I had expected something a little grander.  This moment did bring the thought of how glad I was on this hot day not to be crammed up inside a metal box thundering along a depressing concrete road waving with one finger at the driver who had just pulled into my lane inches in front of my bumper in their gleaming new expensive BMW, delivered without the indicator option.  I was travelling as nature had intended me to do so, by foot and I felt righteous.

We were, I think, in the Surrey hills surrounded by wonderful open countryside and expensive houses with their rhododendrons and photinia in full bloom; it was bliss.  I’d met several of the people who had responded to my post about running with names on my back and kept leap frogging Douglas who’d I had some brief conversations with.  Harvey I’d not seen for some time now and wondered if he was still out there on the course.

Halfway!

50K was a welcome sight and the countdown was on

50K is a magical sign to see and is on a lamppost indicating we were turning down a small country lane, a few lanes were a feature in this section of the course, but they were all quiet of traffic and when a car did pass they seemed to have gathered there was some kind of running event happening and judging by the weary faces at this point these beings should be given a wide slow passing.  And there before you know it is Tully’s Farm the official half-way rest/recouperation and recovery point which is actually at 56K.  

Those completing the first half this is their finish, and it was fantastic, a long lead into a large finish gantry, plenty of Action Challenge crew, announcements of who was arriving and many many friends and family cheering everyone on.  My name was called, and the story behind the names on my back announced over the speaker system, it had a heart stopping effect and I don’t mind admitting to a tear or two as the crowd cheered me in.

If you are doing the 100K over 2 days then this is where you will camp, I didn’t see the camping facilities but if all the other facilities were anything to go by then I suspect they are excellent too.  As promised my transfer bag was waiting for me, a change of top, shoes, socks, recream the feet with chamois cream and a restock of running nibbles.  Returning the bag to a smiling crew volunteer, they all smile all the time, she promised my bag would soon be on the way to Brighton and waiting for me.

I met and received hugs from several volunteers who knew about the names and who had offered up names too – more tears.

As I left Tully’s farm I realised just how hot a day it was and was thankful for my choice of gear keeping me cool.  You enter woodland immediately and the welcome shade of trees, and I caught myself singing in the tune of 100 Green Bottles a nice ditty along the lines to 44K to go, I’ve 44K to go….then quickly switched my mind back to the next rest stop which was around 14K ahead.

Quiet country lanes and footpaths a plenty 

This section is a mixture of quiet country lanes, footpaths, and trails, which an increasing bias toward the latter.  Trail running I love, so being off road was enjoyable.  I met and passed again a Mum and Daughter who were walking the full 100K, I’d seen them earlier in the day, passed them and I know the leap frogged me at Tulley’s as I stopped for a while and got chatting.  I had no concept of time, nor did I really care how long it took me, I was enjoying a run/walk strategy running for around 30mins and walking for 3-4 mins to refuel and then run again.  

It kept my legs fresh, meant I could chat to people and kept my focus on enjoyment of the atmosphere and not just being about running to the end.

Ultra-runners are supposed to walk the hills but living in north Devon I am somewhat used to them and love to run a hill.  I ran them all, often getting positive remarks as I went past people.  The only exception was the rocky and uneven steeper trail leading up and over the South Downs, the sun has set, I had my Ultraspire waist light on and decided to power hike this one, there was no need to twist and ankle this close to Brighton.

The sunset was incredible, I stopped to take photographs as I did several times throughout the day, I wanted memories and a story to tell, a photograph has a way of invoking so many emotions you quickly forget you experienced throughout the day.

I must quickly track back a few KM’s to Lingfield and the wonderful Esme.  Running past some houses before getting back onto a rutted footpath I see ahead of me a young lady who was probably 8 or 9 and her Mum beside her.  In front of them a table and Esme holding out a large tub.  She’d been there all day and was offering fresh bottles of water and sweets to the tired runner, jogger, or walker.  I was so touched by the moment.  I enjoyed a jelly baby and chatted for a minute.  What a wonderful thing to do giving your time to others, I hope to see you next year too.

Crossing the South Downs

The infamous South Downs climb!

The stony near vertical (well that's how I'm remembering it) climb up to the top of the Downs was worth it for two reasons, firstly Brighton was not too far the other side and secondly the sunset view made your heart miss a beat.  

Descending the South Downs there is less than 10K to go, the 90K sign was an incredible sight and my initial thought was ‘this is a 10K, easy I run 10K’s several times a week’ it was good to frame the last few K this way so I could keep enjoying each step.  The stony trail gives way to tarmac and soon you find yourself running on a wide footpath some 10ft to the side of a road, a glance to your right and you can see below you the city lights of Brighton, the end is tantalisingly close now.  

It was getting late as I’d walked for about an hour with a lady, she had stumbled on the stony descent, so I stopped to check she was ok and we ended up walking and chatting.  Looking at my watch I had the realisation that time had jumped forward and I felt the urge to get a move on.  Back to running pace and soon I was on the cooling grass of the racecourse, it was at this point the batteries in my waist light gave up, but with less than 200 meters to the finish I wasn’t going to stop and change them.

The bright lights, colourful gantry, gently waving flags and even at this time of night the shadowy figures of people waiting for their friends and family to cross the line was a sight that lifted me, so much so that suddenly I felt as fresh as I’d done so many hours ago at Richmond.

Crossing the finish line, you are greeted by more amazing volunteer crew, a medal is placed over your head and photos taken holding the 100K sign.  And that’s another very welcome part of the event, there are no event photographers hiding in bushes like paparazzi along the route waiting to snap your picture and sell them to you post event.  If I wanted a photo, I asked a volunteer to take one, or even a fellow participant – all on my own phone and ready to view and share immediately.

Completing the 100K

And there I was 100K after I’d started sitting with a refreshing soft drink and some BBQ food provided at the finish.  It had been much more than I expected.  Relaxed, fun, challenging, hot, friendly, welcoming.  I cannot speak highly enough of this event, its organisation, the family feel of all the Action Challenge crew, the route and all the people I interacted with.  If you are thinking of doing a 100K, even your first 100K then I’d say this should be high on your list of events to sign up to – perhaps I’ll see you next year.

Footnote

There is so much more I could say but hope this has given you a flavour of how the day unfolded for me.  The windmill at Outwood is incredible, the Emirates A380 so low near Gatwick, a shout of ‘Andy’ from behind as I saw Rosie who I met on the train, the huge monkey puzzle tree in a garden at Cheam.  I could go on to chastise the cows who took a deep interest in me as I crossed their field or praise the excellent, pre and post communication from the organisers including a brilliant App.  And the fact I missed my train back to my parents near Guildford where I was to stay that night due to walking with the lady for an hour as we came off the Downs and had to summon an Uber after midnight!

You can chase a time if that’s your goal. Or as I choose to do, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy every step, not caring about time.