Autumn 100 2024 Preview

The thirteenth edition of our classic regular 100 mile season closer - the Autumn 100 kicks off this coming Saturday 12th October. The course features a series of four, 12.5 mile out and back legs - two on the Thames Path and two on the Ridgeway. With the Thames Path in flood until recently there were concerns over the going on leg one in particular, but a dry week and some sunshine has removed any issue and barring a last minute sustained deluge the race will be run on the normal course.

The mens course record of 13:58 (co-incidentally owned by Geoff Cheshire who is on our marking team for this years race) does not look under immediate threat, however the womens record, held by Susie Chesher since 2016 looks the more likely to go with a high calibre womens field set to toe the line this year.

 

 

WOMEN

Hannah Rickman: The improvement in Hannah's running over recent years from an already high benchmark has been wonderful to behold. Her last outing at a Centurion event was a win at the 2021 North Downs Way 100, arguably a bit of a break out performance. For, since then, she has gone on to win Ultra Trail Drakensberg 160km, the Spine Summer Sprint, The Northern Traverse and has twice placed second at the Winter Spine full as well as at Lakeland 50. This will be more flatter running than she is used to amongst those races but that shouldn't stop her. The guys better look out.

Hannah Rickman

Ali Young: Multiple time GB 24hr Team athlete Ali is one of the most consistent performers in the sport. This year she clocked a 16:20 100 mile split and 220km total distance at Crawley 24hr. Past stand out runs are all at flatter 100 mile+ events and so this race will suit her down to the ground. She has three Spartahlon's to her name with a best of 28:57 for fourth. Four GB 24hr Team vests. A win at Grand Union Canal Race and a 100 mile PB where she also set a national age group record running 15:41 at our Track 100.

Amy-Jo Clarke: Amy-Jo won our Hundred Hills 50km in 2023 and that followed her first Centurion victory which came at the 2022 North Downs Way 50. She also has wins at Race to the Stones and Hurtwood 50km to her name. This looks to be her first 100 miler. 

Camilla Mitchell: Has a string of podiums to her name, though all at shorter distances over the last few years. Second at Race to the Stones, winner of the Amersham Ultra 50km and second at the Druids Challenge - which takes in a lot of the A100 course - amongst them.

Anastasia Hounslow: Winner of the Serpent Trail 100km in 2021 and 2022 as well as the Fox Ultra last year. 

Jenny Crouch: Second at this years Arc of Attrition, Jenny has also won the Butcombe Ultra twice, the Beacons ultra and placed fourth at the RAT 100km. 

 

MEN

Matt Gallagher: Matt has become a consistent performer over the 100 mile distance in recent years. Results include at 16:34 here in 2022, a 19:04 at the NDW100 in the same year. A 16:21 at the TP100 in 2021 and a 15:24 at the TP100 in 2023. All of those landed him top ten finishes. The majority of his other shorter ultra performances are also top ten finishes. 

Ed Knudsen: So solid over 50 miles, Ed is yet to have his dream 100 but will surely be up for it here. Past NDW50 champion, CW50 champion and with podium and top ten finishes at a range of other ultras over all terrains including and up to the Dragons Back, Ed's back catologue is extensive. His 14th place at the NDW100 this year and 19:22 at this event back in 2017 are not indicative of what he will surely achieve in the near future over 100 miles on trail.

Brady Poskin: Brady ran home fifth at our NDW50 earlier this year in 6:49. The US based runner has enjoyed wins at US events such as Tahoe Rim 50, Badwater Salton Sea and Three Days of Sylamo. At 100 miles he's also had success with solid finishes at Run Rabbit Run and UTMB - in a career which stretches back 50 races+ over a decade or more.

Neil Kempton: Sixth here in 16:22 in 2022, Neil hasn't hit the same heights since but did come home tenth at the Classic Quarter down in Cornwall earlier in this year.

Ciaran Mcaneny: Holds a 100 mile PB of 16:21 set at our Track 100. Some shorter ultra racing so far in 2024 has yielded three top ten finishes. 

Damon Hannis: Seventh at the TP100 in 2023 in 16:40.

FOLLOW LIVE

Follow the race live via the link here kicking off from 0900 on Saturday 12th October. A huge thanks in advance, as always, to our volunteer team and sponsors without whom none of this is possible.