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

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Pilgrims, 2013 – My first race win! (not including the 1500m at sports day when I was 11!).
4. 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!
5. 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.

I started running in 2008 mainly on the road and trail. I captained the Irish national ultra running team for the World and European 100k and also represented Ireland in the World and European Trail Running Championships in Connemara. I have now turned to the mountains and looking to compete in European mountain races. It is for this reason I have moved my entire family to the Brecon Beacons :)

Blog http://runningmad-dan.blogspot.co.uk/

Past Results

• Anglo Celtic Plate - 1st 
• UTSW - 1st
• Thames Path 50 - 1st
• Gower Ultra - 1st
• European 100k Championships 7th
• Salomon South Downs Marathon 1st

Top 5

1. Winning the Anglo Celtic Plate race (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales compete over 100k) despite giving myself food poisoning on the Friday before the race!
2. Falling of a cliff in Zenor on the Ultra Trail South West but managing to hang on to some grass. I managed to live which was nice although I did feel a bit odd shouting for help at 3 in the morning! 
3. Generally running with my buddies in the mountains in the UK sharing experiences and training together. We spend so much time thinking and focusing on races that we never really take time to stop and enjoy the training!

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

Based in Glasgow, I have represented Scotland and Great Britain in 100K and 24 hour races   I like road, hills, towpath and trails.  Actually, I just like running. Except cross-country.  I don’t do cross-country.  The longer the better for me, so don’t ask me my 10K time. I’m married to an ultra-runner and fit training around a full-time job and our son, Cairn.  Juggling is my forte.  I also do my own stunts and could fall over fresh air.  Skinned knees and bruised limbs is my signature look.  I like to do one thing each year that scares me. 

Blog http://www.debsonrunning.blogspot.com/

Twitter @UltraRunDMC

Instagram ultrarundmc

Past Results

• 100 miles PB - 15:48
• 24 hours PB – 221.7km
• West Highland Way Race 2008, 2010 and 2011. Best time 19:38
• Highland Fling 53 miles (2010 and 2011). Silver in the UK trail championship
• Anglo Celtic Plate – representing Scotland
• Commonwealth ultra-distance championships North Wales 2011 –representing Scotland in the 24 hour race.
• IAU World 24 hour championships 2012 Katowice, Poland. Set new Scottish records for 100m, 200km and 24 hour. Bronze team for world, silver for Europeans
• IAU World 24 hour championships 2013 Steenbergen, Holland. PB of 220km.  Team European bronze.
• Devil Of the Highlands 2012: 1st
• Grand Union Canal Race 2012: 1st Overall and Female CR Holder.
• Thames Path 100 2013: 1st
• Lakeland 100 2013/2014: 2nd/ 1st
• Lakeland 50 2015: 2nd
• Winter 100 2014: 2nd 
• 24hr World Champs 2015: 221km, 12th.
• Spartathlon 2015: 5th
• SDW100 2016: 1st
• NDW100 2016: 1st and New CR
• 2016 European Championships Team GB.

Top 5

1. Completed all the Centurion Running 100 mile races – winning three out of four and setting a new CR on the NDW100 in 2016.
2. Great Britain 24-hour team since 2012, representing the team in Poland 2012, Holland 2013, Italy 2015 and France 2016. 24 hour PB 221km.  In Poland I set a new Scottish record for 100 miles 15:48.  If you do the maths, it’s not what you would call my finest paced performance. 
3. Winning the Lakeland 100 in 2014 and placing 2^nd (10^th overall) in Lakeland 50 in 2015.
4. Outright winner of GUCR in 2012 and women’s course record holder in 28:01 – even after falling in the canal during the night
5. 5^th at Spartathlon in 2015.  I was never ever going to do this race, because it terrified me and I’m rubbish at running in heat.  It was the most horrendous and amazing race experience to date

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

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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

I've been running ultras since 2005 gradually working my way through my bucket list of dream events.

Personal Ultra experience:

• Race Director at Centurion Running
• Team GB 24hr Runner. European Champs (2016) Team Silver Medal.
• Athens 24hr (2016) - 242km
• Grand Union Canal Race (2013) Winner 
• Spartathlon (2013)
• Bob Graham Round (2014)
• Badwater 135 (2010)
• Lakeland 100 (2017) (4th)
• Western States 100 (2011)
• Marathon Des Sables (2006)
• Leadville Trail 100 (2011)
• Autumn 100 (2015) (14:35/ Course Record)
• 'UTMB' (2010, 2012)
• Rocky Raccoon Trail 100 Mile x 4 (PB of 14:50)
• Comrades
• 4Deserts Series: Gobi, Atacama, Sahara, Antarctica (3 x top 10 finishes) (2007-2009)
• Old Dominion 100 (2009)
• Caesars Camp 100 (2010)
• Ironman 
• 100 marathon club with a PB of 2:43
• Crossing of Iceland North to South on Foot
• Completion of all the Wainwrights (214 Lake District Summits)
• South Downs Way East To West Self Supported in one push

Top 5

1. Finishing the Spartathlon. Something I agonised over for a couple of years. The ultimate running race. 
2. Finally cracking the 100 mile distance with a 14:50 in 2015 at Rocky Raccoon
3. The end of Leg 4 of my Bob Graham Round with the sunset over Ennerdale.
4. Winning the Autumn 100 with my own team of staff and volunteers to share it with.
5. Finally cracking 24hrs in Athens in March 2016 with 242.497km. 

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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. 
4. 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.
5. 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.