Thames Path 100 - Race Report


The Thames Path 100 is an ultrarunning race put on by Centurion Running in March each year. Normally it starts in Richmond, London and follows the Thames Path all the way to Oxford. I got a place confirmed in this years race as part of the early opening program for volunteers (I marked the Marlow to Reading of the course last year). Having run 40 miles a number of times and 75 miles at the Endure24, I thought it would just be a case of carrying on the same, for Read more

Scottish Butey


No, that title is not a speeling mincesteak, it is a witty reference to a run I did on the Isle of Bute (Scotland). Bute is a small island directly West of Glasgow, it’s a 35 minute ferry journey from Wemyss Bay (near Greenock). The island is 15 miles long (North to South) and about 4 miles wide. It is just North of Arran – the island where they make jumpers… I spent the first 17 years of my life on Bute, and the majority of that time I thought there Read more

Thames Path 100 Recce


This weekend was a long run in training for the Thames Path 100. I had planned to do around 45 to 50 miles and I wanted to recce the section of the race from Reading to Oxford.I’ve run the Marlow to Reading section a few times and as I should be getting to Reading towards night time during the race, a little prior knowledge of where I should be going would be helpful. On Saturday I stashed some water a couple of gels and some food around the Moulsford area Read more

Going Green


Imaginary Friend : “What this, have you turned into some kind of tree hugger ??”Me : “No, no, no, I don’t mean I’ve become some kind of tree hugger – no, I like burning fossil fuels as much as the next person – no, I mean turning all the spreadsheet boxes green by meeting my training goals / mileage.”Imaginary Friend (to second imaginary friend) : “What is he on about, turning boxes green ??”Me : “Okay, let’s start again – I put together a training plan for myself. 16 Read more

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Cross Country

Appalachian Trail Run

Posted on June 7, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Cross Country, Featured, Juneathon, Runs, Training | Leave a comment

appalachian_trailI’ve been travelling to Massachusetts every 6 or so weeks for the past 7 years and I never knew the Appalachian Trail ran through the Western end of the state.

I should have done – my brother Doug beats on about the AT all the time…

Anyway, on discovering this, I decided I wanted to run a bit of it – most of my US based runs are around a few lakes and loops around the town of Westborough – nice, but not ‘great’.

So, before heading out there last week I hooked up with my buddy Jim via email and we arranged to meet up and run a bit of the trail.
Read more

Compton Downland Challenge 2012

Posted on April 16, 2012 by kjhughes Posted in Challenges, Charity, Cross Country, Featured, Mental, Race Reports, Runs | 2 Comments

IMG_20120416_112743Last week I ran the Compton Downland Challenge, this is an annual 40 mile (and has a 20 mile option) cross country race over the Berkshire Downs. It is organized by Compton Harriers, by Dick Kearn, the guy who also does the Grand Union Canal Race (I learnt this from other runners on the course). Read more

Combe Gibbet to Overton 2011

Posted on July 17, 2011 by kjhughes Posted in Cross Country, Featured, Race Reports | Leave a comment

This is a great, local 16 mile cross country race, over undulating ground through beautiful countryside. The race is organised by Overton Harriers, and starts at Combe Gibbet and finishes in the village of Overton.

It follows tracks most of the way, including sections of the ‘Wayfarers Way’, along ridges, through farm fields – beautiful – it crosses under a main road at one point (just past the 8 mile point) and there are a couple of short hilly sections around the 8 – 9 mile point also.

I love this race, it was my third running of it, having done it previously in 2004 when I did 2:37:28 and 2005 when I did 2:33:53 after starting around 15 late. This year (2011) I finished in 2:27:01