Centurion Running
I've dabbled in ultras from multi-day desert races to slightly less successful mountain endeavours and, five or so years later, despite loving hilly trails the most, I've come to learn through experimentation that runnable courses are probably my thing (partly because London isn't blessed with mountains, but also because I seem to be able to run relatively slowly for a long time). I also love a road marathon for the speed-endurance factor and have a famous Dad who crews all my races (and seems to have a magic sixth sense about my next races, even before I've decided myself). If there's one thing I like more than racing it's training - I love nothing better than getting really stuck into the process - it's partly due to being a bit all-or-nothing, but also because I don't believe in only being half prepared (although I may contradict myself about this at Lakeland50 this year).
Twitter @cat_simpson_
Instagram cat_simpson
Past Results
- GUCR, 2017: 27:26, first lady, third over all, new CR
- Zurich marathon, 2017: 3:06, PB, (14th lady)
- Mouth to Mouth marathon, 2016, First Lady
- Autumn 100 2016 - 17:24, third lady, 11th overall
- Kent Coastal marathon, 2016 - first lady
- Vanguard Way marathon 2016 - first lady
- SDW100 2016 - 19:08, second lady, 18th overall
- Ultra Trail Torres del Paine, Patagonia, 2015 - first lady
- Atacama Crossing 2014 - second lady, 13th overall
- Toad Challenge 2013 (90 miles over 3 days) - 14:30, first lady, fifth overall
Top 5
1. Winning Grand Union Canal Race this year in 27:26 and breaking the female course record. Probably the race where the penny finally dropped that runnable courses are my thing.
2. The NDW100 in 2015: my gateway 100 miler which I was massively underprepared for, but taking over 25 hours gave me the confidence for GUCR that I could survive for over a day on my feet, plus it made my time at the SDW100 the following year, which was a 6.5 hour 100 mile PB, sound even more impressive.
3. Finally breaking my longstanding marathon PB in Zurich this year with a 3:06 finish. After trying and failing for four years and pretty much giving up, it finally came when I was least expecting (or trying for) it. Made even sweeter by the fact I beat my husband's PB by one second.
4. The Toad Challenge in 2013, my first proper ultra where I made some lifelong friends.
5. Playing a small role with a good friend bringing together an all female team for Race to the Stones in 2014 and filling the start line with female runners.
I have been running since I was 6 years old so have over 30 years of running experience. In that time I have done almost every type of running you can think off, for example as teenager I came 6th in the English schools decathlon. An injury leading up to the 2011 London Marathon led me to question what I wanted from running. This led to my wife Abbie buying me entry into the Thames Path 100 as a surprise birthday present, and the rest as they say is history.
Past Results:
- IAU World 100km Champs 2015 12th (6.53), 2014 16th & GB Team Bronze (7.03)
- World Masters 100km Champion 2015 for the 35-40 year age group
- IAU World Trail Champs - 25th place, GB team gold
- Bislett 24hr (2017): 245km
- Anglo Celtic Plate 100km (UK Champ places) – 1st 2013, 2nd 2012, 2014 & 2015
- Thames Path 2012 & 2016: 1st and CR Both Times.
- NDW 50 – 1st and CR’s 2013 & 2015
- Thames Trot 50 - 1st, 2012-2016
- Monster Ultra and Stort 30 – CR’s and 1st places – 2013, 2014, 2015
- Trailblaster trail 12hr – 130km in 11hrs 13mins
- Shires and Spires – 1st 2012 & 2013
Top 5:
1. Winschotten 2015 – Finally a good performance in a GB Vest. It was a race I hadn’t intended to do but the day after the ACP in Redwick my daughters convinced me to go for it. The training, the build up and the race itself all went well. Going into the last lap still feeling good and knowing that sub 7hr was there for the taking was a fantastic. Breaking 7 hrs, a great atmosphere, a World masters medal and all in front of my family.
2. Doha 2014 - After 3 attempts I finally got my GB vest for 100km. I was third counter for the team competition that GB got the Bronze medal. A PB and 16th place when many a better runner than me fell apart. Another tough night in the GB vest but a whole bunch of experiences I will never forget.
3. World Trail Championships - My worst performance in an Ultra on a course that didn't suit me. However, it was my first GB vest and I was lucky enough to be part of a fantastic winning GB team, so I got to sing the national anthem on the podium. To live two childhood dreams in one day is priceless
4. Mile 16 at the Wymondham 20 miler - My running at the start of 2013 was rubbish, my training was poor, I got ill and ran badly at the Thames Trot. I had already told family that I was pulling out of the Anglo Celtic Plate but gave myself one last chance to test my fitness before notifying the England team. I got dropped at 11miles but something happened at 16miles I came back to life and ran the last 4 miles at 10k pace. Perth was back on. I ran a solid, sensible race in the cold, I still can't believe I am UK 100km champion
5. Redwick ACP 100km 2012 - My first England vest made even more special as that day was the last day I saw my mother alive. After 30 years of running she finally got to see her son run for his country
I like to race any distance from parkrun to multi-days to 100 miles, ideally off-road and preferably somewhere interesting like in the mountains or the desert. I still like to run a standard road marathon every now and then as a bit of speedwork and an objective fitness test.
Past Results
- MdS x 7 (Including 3 x Top 10s)
- UTMB x 3
- CCC (14th in 2014)
- Lakeland 50 (3rd in 2014)
- Marathons: 20 with a PB of 2:34 (CR holder at Steyning Stinger)
- Pilgrims Challenge 2 x Winner and CR holder
Top 5
- MdS, 2014 – 5th place and a British record, my best performance so far. I love having a whole week of roughing it out in the desert and not having to do anything but get up and race each day.
- London Marathon, 2015 – My marathon PB of 2:34 ran 2 weeks after the MdS. Being from London and having family and friends out on the route adds to the experience.
- Pilgrims, 2013 – My first race win! (not including the 1500m at sports day when I was 11!).
- Nationals, 2015 –Racing in the mud at the cross country Nationals at Parliament Hill was definitely an experience and was very happy with a top 100 finish that is actually better than it sounds!
- CCC, 2014 – It was great to finally have a good day out on the mountains around Mont Blanc with a 14th place finish after a couple of 40 plus hour death marches at the UTMB back in 2009 & 2011.
Running brings me peace. I feel so grateful to commune with nature each day and spend time in stillness. Being an Ultra Runner I am part of an adventurous and warm community with whom I can enjoy the most awe-inspiring places in the world. My mission is to continue to do what I love. I believe we are born to run and are limitless beings, capable of anything we put our minds to. It's magical and I feel so lucky that my sport is my life, my joy, my profession and that I get to live it every day. #thankyouuniverse.
Website https://www.danlawson.life/
Past Results (Brief)
2017: Ultra Trail Gobi 400km Course Record
2017: Ultrabalton 218km Winner
2017: Steenbergen 12 Hour Course Record
2016: Mt Gaoligong 100 Mile Course Record
2016: European 24 Hour Champion, Albi, France
2016: Badwater, 3rd
2015: Spartathlon, 2nd
2015: Ridgeway Race, Course Record
2015: Grand Union Canal Race Course Record
I started running in 2005 to challenge myself to run a half marathon and fortunately ended up doing 2 marathons (one of them snowdonia) and realised the true pleasure of running in beautiful places for a long time. My favourite race distance is 100 miles although these days, the exploration of new mountains and views is as big a motivator along with sharing the training process with others.
Past Results
- GUCR 2008, 2011
- WHW race 2009, 2010, 2011
- Lakeland 100
- UTMB
- Leadville
- Hardmoors 110
- 100 miles of Istria
- Ronda Del Cims x 2
- 100 miles Sud De France x 2
Top 5
Social: Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Strava
Results: DUV Statistik
Sponsors: Ultimate Direction | Montane | Petzl | Squirrels Nut Butter
2019 Ultra Schedule
May - Thames Path 100
September - Centurion Track 100 Mile
Blog http://www.runningwithmybaby.blogspot.com/
Past Results
- 2016 ACP British 100km Champs: 2nd Lady.
- 2016 Steyning Stinger: 1st Lady.
- 2014 South Downs Way 50: 7:09 1st Lady and CR
- 2014 Country to Capital: 5:42 1st Lady and CR
- 2013 Salisbury 50km 3.53, 2nd overall and 1st lady
- 2013 Downslink Ultra 38 miles, 3rd overall and 1st lady, 4.47
- 2009 Ironman Hawaii World Champs: 10:48
Top 5
- Finishing country to capital in January, 8 months after having my second baby. 'Jogging' round and feeling super strong over the last 10miles, knowing that, once I got really fit this was a sport I was going to love!
- Crashing and burning at mile 34 of the SDW50, poor preparation, poor mental attitude and lack of eating meant I dropped in a minor hyperthermic mess. From this my husband gave me a serious talking to, I changed my training, I changed my attitude. I met James and I havent looked back since.
- Breaking the course record over the Three forts course. Buried a few of the SDW50 demons, felt great and loved every second, espcially embracing the mayor in a sweaty mess at the end
- Salisbury 50km- went off hard and actually raced over a longer marathon distance for the first time. Loved the course and loved finishing second overall. Had to wait 3 hours for my prize as they couldnt believe a woman had run that fast and beaten the boys.2nd overall and 1st lady
- Downslink ultra- my first proper ultra race knowing I was fit, had tapered and had no excuses not to execute! Loved running knowing I was chasing the boys all day, 3rd overall and 1st lady in 4.47
Social: Twitter | Instagram | Strava | Podcast
Results: DUV Statistik
Sponsors: La Sportiva | Petzl | Julbo | Gu Energy
2019 Schedule
February - Arc of Attrition 50
March/ April - Barkley Marathons
June - West Highland Way Race
December - Desert Solstice 24hr
UK Ultra running legend and writer.
Blog http://www.runningandstuff.com/
Past Results
- Los Angeles to New York Race – 2011
- Spartathlon 2009,2010,2012
- Badwater 2010
- GUCR 2008, 2009
- Vol State Road Race 2015
- Lots of other stuff.
Top 5
- Blubbing in the Grand Union Canal Race – 2008 and after 120 miles of running my legs just ground to a halt. I sat in a chair and debated whether to bother with the last 25 miles. I decided to get up and go for it, running all the way. My legs felt like they were being bathed in acid but I ran through it until it got easier and easier and then all of a sudden I was bounding along like I was running a 10k. This was 130 miles into the race. The turnaround overwhelmed me so much that I just burst into tears. I had to hang on to some railings for a few minutes and just let it all out.
- The only time I ever said “never again”. It was after my first Spartathlon. I could not sleep I was in too much pain, I could not go to the toilet it was so painful and I had no idea what the point of doing something like that was. Over time the pain eased, the memories set in and I realized that I’d just completed the best race I have ever known and will be back there every year until I am 99.
- A Japanese guy who could not speak much English tried to sing a Beatles song he didn’t know the words or the tune to in order to cheer me up. I had diarrhea, had not eaten for 4 days and 200 miles.
- Taking 10 of the hardest runners I know and putting them through the very experimental experience that was the “Piece of String” race. I was humbled by the way these guys all just took to the race in miserable conditions.
- Telling Mark Cockbain that I might join him for the first week of his trans USA run, running 300 miles in a week across a desert. Hearing his response “Don’t be such a pussy, do the whole thing”. Signing up for the whole thing, all 3220 miles of it.
I'm a trail and ultra runner specialising at the 24hr/100mile distance, representing Team GB at the 2013 24hr World Champs. Shortly afterwards I ran a 15:47 trail 100 mile PB in winning the Petzl SDW100.
Blog http://robbiebritton.co.uk/
Past Results
- World 24hr Champs 2015: 3rd place Overall
- Caesars Camp 100 - 27:41 & 21:30 (3rd)
- GUCR: 31:26 (7th)
- NDW 100: 19:47 (1st)
- TP 100: 16:02 (2nd)
- Cotswold 100: 20:26 (2nd)
- Basel 24hr: 222.5km (5th)
- Tooting Bec 24hr: 209km (2nd)
- UTMB 2014
- CCC 2016 (11th)
- Barcelona 24hr: 231km (4th)
- World 24hr Champs: 239.008km (16th)
- Petzl SDW100 2013: 15:47 (1st)
- Spartathlon 2013
- Pilgrims Way 2014: Win & CR
- West Highland Way Race 2014: 2nd / 2nd fastest time ever.
My motivation for running ultras is the scenery and running in stunning locations. I prefer hills, mud and nasty weather which levels the playing field. Ideally I look for races which I perhaps wouldn’t get to explore otherwise in this incredible planet and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to explore it. Ultimately I like the mini adventure aspect, seeing the sun set and rise in a race is very special and makes me appreciate the world around me. It doesn’t have to be fun to be fun. My early season races usually included a couple in the mountains and heavy rain of South Wales. Looking ahead I need to head back to the Bear, and Sud de France for redemption one day. 2016 wasn’t my most successful year so I know I have some work to do. Not a race but planning a multi-day trip of the GR54 in France before heading back to Ronda cel Cims.
Past Results
Finishes (longer stuff)
2015 Hardrock CCW (Finally a real hardrocker)
2015 V3K
2014 Hardrock C/W
2014 Fellsman
2013 UTSW60
2012 Hardrock 100 C/W
Top 5
1 - Hardrock. There is something very special about this race, the course, the people and the ethos. It’s an old school ultra which has got better with age, the meaning and the accomplishment deepens. I feel privileged to have been involved and would love to go back to spend time in the San Juan’s. Each time I have had the privilege to run this race I have been blessed with incredible pacers and crew seriously accomplished winners of 100 and 50 mile events and their families, who gave up their time to help me achieve my goals.
2. Leadville. My first 100, I was the lightest I have been and I was scared as the furthest I had run before this was 50 miles. I ran scared (of the clock) most of the day. I entered not knowing any other runners and because sometimes you have to go big or go home. I was fortunate Drew Sheffield and James Elson (who I didn’t know beforehand) entered and we shared a house and a weeklong adventure together, returning with three for three (buckles). Doesn’t get better than that.
3 Namibia – A multi day event in Sousevlei. After being turned around en route to Libya for the Libyan challenge, 3 weeks later I flew to the heat of Namibia. A very hot desert multi day ultra , camping out and visiting locations such as dead vlei, Big Daddy and Dune 45 as well as running with Ostrich springbok amongst others. The stars and night sky was beyond description.
4 The Bear 100 DNF supported by Azusa my girlfriend my mind and soul didn’t join me at the start line and I pulled out for no good reason...It gives me a reason to return and motivation not have this experience again. I love standing on the start line felling the anticipation, knowing that the finish line has to be earned and times like this are a reminder how easy it is to come up short.
5 Country to capital specifically ‘Race to the gate’. C2C was my first ultra and goes right past my door and uses the trails I often run on, it’s the perfect start to the year.
