There was a sea of pink refusals last Friday in the UTMB lottery draw. I don't see how they can sustain automatic entry in the following year for all refusals. By 2014, possibly 2015, I would not be surprised to sea an increased chance of entry rather than automatic entry after a refusal. My entry of last year only came after a refusal the previous year, but the sea of pink this year was staggering in comparison.
Commiserations to all those Ultra junkies out there who didn't have a backup plan. Fortunately I did, and this is how 2012 is looking so far:
08/01/2012 Belle Vue Racers - HIT THE TRAIL 5mi. Reddish Vale 0:38:59
14/01/2012 Woodbank Parkrun 5k 3.125mi. Woodbank Park 0:23:10
15/01/2012 Lamb's Longer Leg fell race 3.125mi. Hayfield 0:39:50
21/01/2012 The Hebden 22mi. Mytholmroyd 4:30
28/01/2012 Kinder Trial fell race >11mi. Hayfield
04/02/2012 Rombald Stride 23mi. Guiseley
11/02/2012 Anglezarke Amble 24mi. Rivington
04/03/2012 The Peelers' Hike 22mi. Bury
10/03/2012 Wuthering Hike 32mi. Haworth
14/04/2012 34th Calderdale Hike 37mi. Sowerby Bridge
21/04/2012 Woodbank Parkrun 5k 3.125mi. Woodbank Park
22/04/2012 Kinder Downfall fell race 9.6mi. Hayfield
28/04/2012 50th Fellsman 61mi. Ingleton
12/05/2012 Might Contain Nuts Brecon 40 40mi. Talybont on Usk
27/05/2012 Shires and Spires Northants Ultra 35mi. Lamport Hall, Northants
02/06/2012 LDWA Games 100 100mi. Windsor
23/06/2012 Classic Quarter 44mi. Lizard Point - Land's End
07/07/2012 Osmotherley Phoenix 33mi. Osmotherley
14/07/2012 White Peak Walk 26mi. Monyash
28/07/2012 Lakeland 50 50mi. Coniston
01/08/2012 Cracken Edge fell race 7mi. Hayfield (Wed evening)
05/08/2012 Dovedale Dipper 26mi. Hartington
11/08/2012 Long Tour of Bradwell 33mi. Bradwell
01/09/2012 Bullock Smithy Hike 56mi. Hazel Grove
15/09/2012 High Peak 40 40mi. Buxton
29/09/2012 Hardmoors 60 60mi. Saltburn - Filey
20/10/2012 Rowbotham's Round Rotherham 50mi. Wath upon Dearne
27/10/2012 Snowdonia Marathon 26.2mi. Llanberis
You've probably guessed the significance of 12 highlighted events. Runfurther comes to the rescue to rekindle old experiences and offer up some new while providing the challenge of Grand Slam #3. Who needs the UTMB anyway? ;-)
The weekend gaps will be filled in with LDWA events, fell races and Parkruns as circumstances allow and the fancy takes me, while local mid-week fell races will again be added to spice things up a bit (more).
2012, bring it on!
Now that's what I call a plan. Looking forward to following the journey. Best of luck.
ReplyDeletedon't forget to get your SNOD entry in quick!
ReplyDeleteI didn't get into the UTMB either. And I agree I'm not sure how they can promise me a place for next year.
ReplyDeleteI'll see you at Anglezarke Amble!
Good to chat on Saturday Nick. Interesting comparing notes on sports nutrition etc!
ReplyDeleteI'm entered into the Ultra Trail South West which is going off at the same time as the Classic Quarter, so might bump into you down in Cornwall!
ReplyDeleteSee you at a few of these Nick - Rombalds, Calderdale, Lakeland 50, maybe others as I'm not so organised at planning ahead.
ReplyDeleteHey up Nick.
ReplyDeleteI put an entry in for the Kinder Trial. Hopefully see you there.
Thanks DaveT.
ReplyDeletetor, I entered SNOD a while ago. I'm safely in. I guess you are too?
ro6er, indeed I will (at the start at least).
DT, good to chat to you too. There were so many more things I wanted to say but never got the chance! When's our next appointment?
DaveH might see you down there.
DE, we'll be sick of the sight of each other by the end of the year. ;-)
Steve, I saw your name in the Kinder Trial start list. I'll see you on Saturday.
Which weekend are you doing the Bob Graham, not many gaps, Nick?
ReplyDelete:-)
You might well ask, Clive. I'm shirking it. I think such a challenge is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteRubbish Nick, you have the mind and fitness for it, just need to sprinkle in the ambition to do it.
ReplyDeleteI shall pester you again next year :-)