Mark does the Full Monty!

10 miles, 10 hills, 1 Mark: The Full Monty Cute 10!

On Sunday 2^nd December Mark Thompson, one of a number of Exmouth Harriers who specialise in Ultra Marathons and off-road events, took on a race over 10.5 miles, a distance 20 miles or more shorter than that of some of the events he has completed. This was in Somerset near Montacute, close to Yeovil, and was entirely off-road. This is always a popular race that sells out one month in advance. 

The race organisers, Crewkerne Running Club, would appear to rely on two publications. One is an O.S. map to pick out hills - this course including one for each complete mile - and the other seems to be a bit of creative wizardry as they seek out a race title that will stick in the memory of potential participants! Hence Mark was competing in “The Full Monty Cute Trail Race”. 

He describes the first two ascents as “monsters” with a rope being needed at one point on the first. Mark was 33^rd of sell-out field of almost 250 runners (that’s top 15%) and was timed at 91:18 (and that’s an impressive 7mph over this taxing terrain).