Urban Legend Ultra

The 8th of June saw the latest round of the clubs new marathon and Ultra championship taking in the Punk Panther Urban Legend race.

This race is substantially offroad, but takes you right near to the heart of Leeds visiting many of the public greenspaces during the course.  Its based in the North West Leeds Greenway.  Staring in Otley climbing sharply over the Chevin via Surprise View to Guiseley, Yeadon, Rawdon, Horsforth, Hawksworth wood, Kirkstall, Burley Park, Headingley, Hyde Park then along the Meanwood Valley Trail through Adel Woods to Eccup Reservoir, Golden Acre park, Paul’s pond, Cookridge, Bramhope bck into Otley before finishing in Pool-in-Wharfedale.

This year there was a 50, 57 and 66km option and we had a runner in the 66 and the 50.

Laura Hastings came home in an excellent 10th overall and 1st female in the 66km route with a time of 8 hours 13 minutes and 47 seconds.

She had the following to say after the event “This was my 1st Ultra of the year and a proper test of how my training is going for the squamish 50 in August.  I decided to go in with the mindset that I was doing the long course (there were 3 distances options) and see how it played out.  While I’m certainly not breaking any speed records, I’m really happy with how it went.  My legs held up really well and I managed to pace it right so I felt comfortable all the way round, feeling so positive now.  I’d definitely recommend Punk Panther events for Ultra running. Brilliant day out.”

Coming home 1st overall in the 50km event was Nichola Moreland in a time of 5 hours 33 minutes and 48 seconds.  She was over 10 minutes ahead of the 2nd place finisher, cracking result.  “1st Ultra in the bag, 51km in 5hr 33mins, 1st finisher on the short course.  Thanks to Paul Dickens, Tilly Rhodes and Alys Wyn for keeping me company and congratulations to Laura for winning 1st lady on the long course.  What stupid race am I going to enter next!!”.