This final week of January saw Burns night take place, plus a few races as conditions varied from pleasant to very wet and as storm Éowyn rolled in. On Saturday the pagan trail ultra marathon took place on Dartmoor with 

28 miles / 1,500 m of assent. It was described as "A tough race, very muddy underfoot and a bit cold but after the weather we have had the day could not have been better…Del reported "Nice company running it with Tim Hassell, as they finished in 57 & 58th place in 07:21:10 / 18. I’m glad that’s done and dusted for marathon number 95 said Derek Skinner." 

Ruth Johnson completed the half in 119th, 3:26:51,  "Perfect conditions for me, gorgeous weather, but wet and muddy underfoot. I think that kind of run helps no end if your confident in mud. Glad I didn't have to do 28 miles, although I'd like to next year .... maybe."

I briefly spoke to the fearless Benj Akyol, who was recovering from the infamous and brutal Arc of Attrition. Ben explained it had not been the easiest of challenges as many will know from previous attempts by many Trotters at one of the UK's toughest mid winter trail ultra marathons. 

"Arc 100 is a unique point-to-point race along the most exposed sections of the South West Coast Path in England's South West. From Coverack to Porthtowan, runners will experience the stunning and dramatic 'arc' of Cornwall. Ben explained he hadn't slept much the night before, before the pfaff of being in buses to the start meant he missed breakfast, News from the organisers about being unsupported meant he cancelled his planned help including foot wear changes to cope with tarmac to trail to tarmac variety. 

From the off it was tough going on Friday as he lost an hour in the first 25 miles being sick due to some unhelpful energy options at the first aid station at Lizard point. Dry heaving wasn't part of the plan. Salvation arrived with everyone's favourite, Cheese & Pickle sandwiches at mile 25 Porthleven and life started to look better with Praa Sands and Marazion approaching. The tarmac section around Penzance started the feet suffering as 8mm trail shoes were unhelpful for miles and miles of pavement. If only the fairies could deliver the socks and foot wear change that was pre planned but cancelled. Ben realised there was no official checking and in hindsight and should like everyone else had a support team out there. His rush to make up time may have cost him later.

Through the night in bad conditions for Porthcurno and Lands End was tough with disorientation from torch light resulting in slow going and an essential speedy 2mn power knap, it was hard keeping together with other runners as terrain changed and speeds varied. The toughest section of boulders, rocks, bogs meant slow going, using hands and legs in foot wrecking conditions. As Saturday morning broke, he was alright, coping with adversity, pushing on and closing in on Botallack. The next section was awful heading toward St Ives. (78m)

Trouble broke after dealing with some unrunnable sections near St Ives, Ben had some tarmac to deal with before Godrevy but the feet weren't happy. The lack of sock changes and road shoes for tarmac had effected the balls of his feet causing the arches to explode with pain. Having tried to run using the outer edge of the foot, there was no choice but to walk and the holy grail of a sub 24hr finish (elite and highly prized) was slipping away. The thought of walking 10+ miles to the finish for hours was too much and in the heat of the moment at the aid station he sat down and handed his tracker over. A 20 minute exhaustion knap did not make it any easier at Godrevy (89.2miles). The elevation of the event described as 13942ft hadn't been the issue but uneven terrain and soggy socks had. 

Ben's phone was out of battery, mind was scrambled and the disappointment was massive after battling so far and getting super close to the finish. The comedy of seeing the results claiming he had finished was bitter sweet, as it could be useful for qualification for future events. See picture for "The weakest link - the feet"  Today, on Sunday, its the quads and knees that are hurting, as well as pride. 

Lets give Ben a big hand, a worthy competitor and a valiant effort.