Can we run the 48 mile River Aire Ultra Marathon after falling over? Running to Malham from Leeds!

Part 2 - the trails get seriously beautiful!


Will I be able to run after my fall? 

Can I run over 26 miles with a bleeding knee? 

Can we cross the train line and dual carriageway safely?

Will we ever find Checkpoint 5? 

Can we continue after we run out of water? 

Will we be defeated by the crazy heat? 

Can we navigate successfully and stay on course?

Will the beautiful trails distract us from our running? 

Can we make it up the final monster of a hill at Malham? 

Can we complete the race before the 9pm cut-off? 


On Saturday 17th April 2021 after no racing for over a year, Eleanor and I took on the River Aire Ultra. 

It’s an epic Punk Panther event that follows the river Aire from the centre of Leeds out to its source; the beautiful Malham Tarn (http://punkpanther.co.uk/river-aire-u.... The course is 48.5 miles… as long as there are no errors in navigation! 

A cold for 2 weeks prior to race day meant a halt rather than a taper. Plus it was Eleanor’s first ultra marathon (around 22 miles further than she’s ever run in one go before, as well as my longest continuous run) so we were genuinely not sure whether or not we would make it round successfully…

Punk Panther events are always amazing. Friendly and inclusive with a real community feel. Would we be able to complete our ultra marathon challenge or would my fall at mile 22 be the end?!