John O’Groats to Lands End is a tough run by any standards. Add to the 868 miles daily cut-offs in 16 daily stages – an average of 54 miles a day – and this challenge starts to get serious. This years event drew 11 hopefulls to the traditional starting point at John O’Groats in Northern Scotland. By the time the race reached the border with England on Day 7, there were only three runners remaining and two of those were struggling. Tim Elliot stopped on Day 8 and Tom Forman made it to Tarporley on Day 9 leaving Rainer Koch the German stage race specialist to run on his own. Rainer has an impressive list of races under his belt but top of that list is surely his victory in the 2009 Trans-Europe when he finished the 2788.5 mile 64 day stage race 28 hours in front of Japanese stage runner Takasumi Senoo.
Today is Day 14 of the race and Race Director Rory Coleman, who posts frequently on the race blog, reports that Rainer has less than 70 miles to go in the last two stages and looks like setting a new course record by several days.
Race results: www.ultrarace.co.uk
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