My 100th "unofficial" marathon/ ultra - 20.02.2026!

A wee project I have, that doesn't mean anything to anyone else but me! But I like to keep a list of the runs of marathon length or above that I have completed outside of official events. Last Friday, I completed my 100th, so I've been having a look back....

....over the 100, I've done 3208 miles, made up of 43 marathons and 57 ultras, in England, Scotland, Wales, Australia and New Zealand... they including things like events that didn't count towards my 100MC totals, virtuals during Covid, recce runs for events, training runs, holidays, and lots of adventures.

Some favourite memories....

...first one was a 40 mile training walk in June 2009, in preparation for the 100km Oxfam Trailwalk that July. Our team was my Mum, Dad, my friend Lisa, and myself, and we went out on a 20 mile walk during the day from my parents house in Chorley, then stopped back at the house for a checkpoint including a pasta carb-top-up, and change of clothes (into evening outfits), and then went back out to do 20 miles in the dark. I don't think any of us had really done anything like it before, or walked in the dark, and it all felt very exciting, if a bit batty. It included my first night time encounter with a field of cows, which was memorable. I didn’t realise initially there were any cows, as in the headtorches it seemed that hundreds of pairs of floating orange eyes were rolling at us as we walked past, which I naturally assumed meant we had wandered into a low-budget horror movie. Once they started moo-ing, it became certain we were about to be sacrificed to the devillish bovines of Lancashire, and our pace picked up quite significantly.

A couple of marathons in 2013, which were part of my "13 in 2013" fundraising challenge. There weren't any events in the weekends that I needed to do them, so I made up my own route along the Thames from Putney to Richmond and back. It absolutely chucked it down for the first one, and my Mum (armed with chocolate cake) and my sister (with an umbrella) came along, and I remember getting the best hugs from them (and a quick break from the incesant rain under the umbrella), about a mile from the end when I'd just about got to the point of having enough - I had after all been training for a run, and it had felt more like a very long swim. The second one Andrew ran with me as well, and my Mum and Dad both came along, and joined in with the end.

Then, I left London to do my Dietetics degree in Leeds, but travelled back most weekends to see Andrew. I was training for my first ultramarathon, and got quite hooked on a 36 mile training route from home in Haggerston down to the Thames, along to Richmond Park and back to Putney, where I would finish at a nice cafe. Spent several happy days doing that! 

In 2017 was first "Recce Team" adventure! We recced the whole of the LDWA North York Moors 100 route over 3 days. I had never run so far day after day before, and was terrified beforehand as I didn't know anyone, and worried I would be left behind. I'm so glad we went along, as the "Recce Team" has been responsible for great friendships, and so many adventures since! We've recced the routes of several of the annual LDWA 100s, plus explored loads of other places and routes.

In 2017 I spent 3 months in Australia and New Zealand with Andrew. Did 3 marathons whilst we were there... such amazing places!

1. New Zealand - Queeenstown and Lake Wakapitu

2. New Zealand - Mount Cook and Aoraki

3. Australia - Sydney to Manly

In 2018, my Mum and Dad did the LDWA Cinque Ports 100. Andrew and I were marshalling at one of the early checkpoints, and then I walked with them for their second night, where we experienced the infamous "ghostly voice of the golf course" incident (non-cow related this time).

Over the Covid times, we did a LOT of escaping from London down to Denbies for trail running with Tara, usually running 30 miles or so, followed by post run picnics and baked delights, and the Christmas Party in the Denbies tent!

Also during the Covid years, some trips to Milton Keynes for ultras with Alan and Tom...

...and I designed some themed runs to do with Andrew around London, "The Agatha Christie Run" and "The Monopoly Piece Night Run"...

Then the Lockdown Frolic with Sarah and Jon! That was an epic day running around London on a scavenger hunt! 56 miles in all.

The Last Transport from Metropolis was another London adventure that saw Andrew, Sarah, Jon and me, meet at the start at Waltham Abbey, and take on missions throughout the night, until we made it to the finish at Feltham.

Andrew and I ran the Trail of the 7 Lochs, which is a 50 mile route to the south of Loch Ness, around (suprisingly) seven lochs. Jennifer and the gang did an amazing mobile checkpoint at about 30 miles, Andrew injured his leg (which turned out to be a stress fracture) and had to use a branch as a crutch for the last 10 miles, and we ended up finishing in the dark past some more demonic cows (again) and near to Boleskin (famous for actual demons), so altogether quite an eventful run.

Done lots in Scotland, especially since moving up at the end of 2024. That's partly because there aren't that many events up here compared to in England, and also because there is so much to explore and it is so beautiful, that I like going off and doing my own thing.

One of my all time Scottish favourites so far was a sublime day doing the Fisherfield Traverse with Alan last year, 33 miles including a munro. The weather was stunning, and the views all day were breathtaking. 

I did #100 last Friday (20.02.2026) along the Caledonian Canal. Work has been challenging lately, plus the soul sapping end of winter slump, meant my battery was running low. I didn't have the head space for an epic route, so stuck to the canal, which felt a safe space. Wasn't really feeling it, truth be told, but I had promised myself I would do it, and completing it was a helpful reminder that I’m more capable than my 'winter brain' lets me usually think. And I did feel better afterwards!

My list....

Hopefully the list will keep getting longer... with pals, adventures, and fun........

January marathoning

Run for a Tenner Friday with Phoenix Running, 29.5 miles, 09.01.2026

Had a mini-break to London, for a couple of runs, and some catch ups with friends.

Annoyingly, the week before, I had slipped on the ice/ snow whilst running downhill near home, and landed hard on the bottom of my back. This put me out of running for a bit, and catapulted me into my annual "Winter Gloom" period of feeling sad.

So I was looking forward to getting away for a bit. My back was still very sore and tight, but I figured it seemed to be tight muscules and not anything worse, so should be OK to try a run. Just about managed an ultra - the miles with Sarah and Gavin at the start were fun as usual, but the last 5 laps on my own were very miserable indeed 🤣 I cheered up exponentially afterwards with a good chat, hot chocolate and Indian street food with Rebecca and Adrian in Slough!

All the proceeds from the run went to to Rays of Sunshine charity ☀️

Chilly Flamingo Run with Phoenix Running, Marathon, 10.01.2025

Back (and bum 🤣) still sore, but no worse, so got in a marathon, which I was pleased at. Had a few laps with Richard talking all about travel and ideas, which completely distracted my from my back, and was really good fun and made me feel excited at running again and that it isn't all going to be a slog like this weekend! 

Big thank you Danielle for having me to stay, and for so many thoughtful post run treats! Followed by a London Sunday catching up with Sandeep and some culture!

Marathon on the Great Glen Way, 24.01.2026

My 98th "informal marathon" - 2 more to go to #100, hopefully get there is the next couple of weeks 🤞

The back is better! 

Nice run with Andrew along the beautiful Great Glen Way, and discovered some new paths in Abriachan Woods. Exciting to finish in the dark, up on the trails - it felt like an adventure again. Running in the winter can be a bit monotonous sometimes I feel, limited by the weather and the darkness. But that's just part of the seasons I know. I must embrace it! 

Purple Potion Run with Phoenix Running Manchester, Marathon, 31.01.2026

My first time running with Phoenix Running Manchester, and what a great event they put on! Very well organised, and it was a very enjoyable morning. Plus as it was a "potion" theme, you got to chose a drink afterwards too - time for an iced coffee!

Nice to see a new part of the River Mersey. Not far from my parents in Chorley, so had a great weekend catching up, visiting old haunts, the British Commercial Vehicle Musuem, and great food! 

Spanish marathon trip December 2025! The Lanzarote and Malaga Marathons.

Lanzaratoe Marathon, 06.12.2025

This is always one of my favourite runs of the year. Especially now I don't see my running pals so often. It's nice and warm, surrounded by friends, and you get to do a marathon too. 

Lots of catch ups were had! Reunited with Sarah for a chat-athon, where we had actual months of chat to catch up on, and we crossed the finish line talking about flags and M+S knickers.

Ran past our villa on the route, and saw Tricia and Donald on the balcony! I like the route of this marathon, it goes all along the coast, and being by the sea feels good for the soul and clears out the head.

Malaga Marathon, 14.12.2025

After a few days holidaying in Lanzarote, we headed to Malaga, which I had got confused with I think Magaluf, which from seeing on TV I expected to be beaches full of drunk people. But no! Malaga is a beautiful old city, full of hidden gems around every corner! 

We had a couple of days to go to the Expo (and saw Steve!), explore the city, and try out the amazing food and wine. The Christmas decorations were magical! And the old ruins of the Gibralfaro and Alcazaba filled with trees and flowers were stunning. 

The marathon was on Sunday morning. It was my first time running here, and it has jumped right to the top of my all time favourite marathons! It was a huge event, far bigger than I expected, and had full and half marathon options. It was all exceptionally well organised and the atmosphere was brilliant, buzzing all the way around. The route was fantastic - parts of it through the old city, some along the marina, and lots along the coast. It even included a lap of the track in the Estadio de Athletismo Cuidad de Málaga! 

It was sunny and warm, and I spotted some Jacaranda trees in flower, which was a huge highlight as I love these so much, and haven't seen one in flower since visiting Austraila in 2018 (the one at Kew Gardens never is!) - the purple blue flowers are just gorgeous!

There was just one bad patch between 7 - 10km where my right knee completely went (I pulled or trapped something in it when swimming last week), and I had the simultaneous sensations of loosing power in it and a searing pain radiating all along my leg. I was gutted! I thought I was actually going to have to pull out. But after 10km it eased off a lot, and was sore but not too bad. 

Apart from that hiccup, I absolutely loved every single minute of this marathon, and I want to go back and do it again already! 

Big shout out to Andrew, who after a whole year of injuries and rehab, smashed the end of his running year with an unofficial marathon we did a couple of weeks ago along the Moray Coast, then Lanzarote Marathon AND then the Malaga marathon, all with no pain, and getting faster each time. Very proud!

I'm also chuffed to have done a negative split myself, as that has been something I've been trying to work on improving at.

Our flight home was on Sunday evenjng after the marathon, which in hindsight wasn't my brightest idea to go home the same day. Especially as our flight was delayed and we didn't land at Glasgow until 10.30pm then had a 4 hour drive back home, which made for the worst Monday morning alarm EVER! Was it worth it? Of course!!! 

The Dava Way 50 (51!) km, with Moray Way Ultras, 08.11.2025

The Dava Way 50km was the first Scottish event I did after moving up here last year. I can't believe it's been a year already!

Andrew and I stayed overnight in Grantown-on-Spey the night before. As it's a point to point route, there is a bus put on for runners from the end in Forres to the start, but you have to be there at 5:30am - we did that last year, and it's great fun, but opted to stay near the start this year so as to get a little lie-in! We stayed at the Speyside Hotel which was beautiful and comfortable and had an excellent cosy bar for some pre-race relaxation....

...followed by some carb-loading at the Pia Po Thai restaurant.

The race starts at the leisure centre in Grantown-on-Spey. It was a 15 minute walk from the hotel, and it was still dark on the walk down. It is organised by Moray Way Ultras, and has such a good buzz about it, and it was great to soak up the atmosphere at the start.

At 7:30 we set off! First of all was a loop around Anagach Woods, along the River Spey, and back through Grantown. Musical highlights included the guy in neon on a bike with a speaker blasting out all the best tunes, and then a piper and drummer at the top of the short climb up on to the Dava Way! The Dava Way then follows the disused Highland Railway Line, which opened in 1863 to link Inverness and Perth, before closing in 1965. It starts in Grantown-on-Spey in the Cairngorms, and crosses the Dava Moor, before dropping down to Forres on the coast. On the way, it winds through gorges, forests and moorland, and past several of points of interest...

The Divie Viaduct: built in the 1860s, it is 145 meters long and 52 meters high with 7 arches spanning the Divie River. We have Lord Laing (a local businessman, and grandson of the inventor of the digestive biscuit) to thank for this magnificent structure still being here - as he bought it for £90 when the railway closed, to save it from being demolished.

Huntly's Cove: near to the summit, the spot is named after George Gordon (the 2nd Marquis of Huntly), a Royalist, who legend has it, hid there in 1645 after his forces were defeated by Archibald Campbell (his brother-in-law) a Covenanter.

The Dava Summit: at 1053 feet has spectacular views of the open moors all the way to the sea!

The Half Way Hut: a shelter about, oooh, half way along.

Wooden sculptures: of a dragoon (I always get a fright thinking it's a real person in the tress) and a collie dog (who used to convey messages along the way).

It was the most beautiful day; bright blue skies, and a riot of autumn colours all around. It was very meditative running along through it all.

I had a bit of a squiffy stomach and felt a bit off, but that didn't spoil it. Managed to keep a steady pace ticking along, and was happy enough to finish in 4:56.

The event was brilliant, really well organised, friendly, and the marshals were amazing. The medal is beautiful and the goody bag has sunglasses and beer in! I had a chat with Race Directors Kyle and Debbie at the end, and Kyle explained the medal design - sunshine (always sunny at Moray Way events, hence the sunglasses as well!), Nelson's Tower (the bonus hill at the end!) and the railway track running around the edge.

You also get free race photos (courtesy of the fabulous Stuart Ross Media and Ray Liversidge)!

The Chester Marathon, 05.10.2025

Back at the Chester Marathon, after 12 years! I last did this in 2013, as part of my "13 Marathons in 2013" fundraising challenge, which was my first multi-marathon year. I remembered enjoying the event back then (confirmed by my blog for it!), and, as it's near to my roots and my parents, it was a good opportunity for a road trip home! 

The drive down from Scotland on Friday during Storm Amy was wild! 😬 But turns out, we left home just in time, as the power was out all weekend, and a tree blew down in the garden!

Having escaped the storm, we had a great weekend road trip, and visited some old favourite haunts on the way; Sizergh Castle and Morcambe.

The marathon was on the Sunday, and the event starts and ends at Chester Racecourse on the banks of the River Dee. In Roman times, this was a harbour, but eventually, the area silted up, and by the early 16th century, horse racing started to be held on the site, with the consent of the Mayor at the time - Henry Gee - that's where the term "the gee-gees" comes from! 🐎

The marathon is so well organised, it is an excellent event. Plenty of water stops with brilliant volunteers along a very picturesque route, which starts with a small loop of the beautiful old city, with amazing crowds. 

The route then heads out over the River Dee and into the countryside, along pretty lanes and through villages, which also all had great crowds.

At the water stop about 3 miles in, a man running next to me, who was a good foot and a half taller than me, decided that rather than drinking his water, he would pour it over himself (I'm not sure why, as it had recently been raining, and wasn't particularly warm), and therefore me. Due to the height difference, this created the effect of having an actual shower, all the way down to my previously nicely dry trainers. I shot him a reproachful glare, which hit him somewhere around chest height, and therefore had absolutely no impact whatsoever, and squelched off towards Wales, which we reached just before mile 10. We ran in Wales for about 7 miles. The road signs were then all in English and in Welsh, and running along the right hand side of the road, the words on the road were all upside down, and I misread SLOW ARAF for SLOW AR** , which I thought was a bit rude, frankly.

Storm Amy was still blowing a bit of a hoolie, so I soon dried off from my shower.

There were some great signs and cheering along the way, including my favourites:

• You're nearly there! (2 miles in)
• Keep lifting your knees up for the next hour and a half! 
• Sweaty but slaying it!
• Who needs toenails!
• Whine now, wine later!

After 17 miles, it was back into England, and a few undulations towards the end, which is always a nice suprise just as you're getting tired, but for the last couple of miles the crowds are so loud, and the last half mile along the river is magic, so the finish is absolutely brilliant!

You get a lovely medal, a goody bag full of all sorts of goodies, and a long sleeved running top perfect for winter, all in my favourite colour - Caribbean turquoise! 🩵 I was happy to have beaten my finish time from 2013 (I finished in 3:42:07), it was good to see some running pals at the event, and I very much enjoyed it; so it was altogether an excellent day.

Afterwards, the road trip continued to Chorley for a family Lomax catch up, with black forest roulade and whiskey!🍒🤎🥃