Neolithic marathon

3 watchers

beebop Mar 2013 10:04pm, 31 Mar 2013 285 posts	0 beebop Well, I know it's not until May, but I'm already wondering what shoes to wear for this - if there's anyone around who's done this before, what would you recommend? Trail shoes, road shoes, wellies, huaraches? Have to go shopping if it's either of the last two... And leaving shoes aside, how did you like it? I'm not thinking of it as a PB race, but any and all opinions would be valued!
becca7 Mar 2013 10:08pm, 31 Mar 2013 4,808 posts	0 becca7 Quite a nice route, a lot of it along the Ridgeway. Lovely to start at Avebury and finish at Stonehenge. A couple of short sharp climbs, otherwise fairly rolling. The main issue was uneven terrain underfoot. I wore trail shoes but I think road shoes might have been ok.
beebop Mar 2013 10:12pm, 31 Mar 2013 286 posts	0 beebop Thanks! Was worried about trail shoes if there was much road involved, but if it's mostly trail I think I'll make a decision based on the rainfall running up to the day. My road shoes are okay on trail but not pretty on mud...
becca7 Mar 2013 10:15pm, 31 Mar 2013 4,809 posts	0 becca7 Good plan. I don't particularly remember it being muddy last year.
beebop Mar 2013 10:22pm, 31 Mar 2013 287 posts	0 beebop Ah. That might change things! Everything round here was muddy last year, all year, but perhaps the clue's in the name 'ridgeway' - as opposed to vale of York. Some places just drain more efficiently. Trail shoes might lack bounce over 26 miles. Thanks again.
Maclennane Jan 2017 12:06pm, 17 Jan 2017 19,335 posts	0 Maclennane anyone up for this this year? I've signed up on a whim and don't really know what I've let myself in for, how tough is it?
beebop Jan 2017 6:20pm, 17 Jan 2017 875 posts	0 beebop It has some pretty big hills, if you're not living in a hilly place and therefore used to them! It was extremely hot the year I did it, and I had a hip problem on the run up (and on the day) so that might affect my judgement: pretty tough but well worth doing. Not as tough as Lakeland Trails Coniston marathon. I did it in road shoes and there were some stony bits where I almost regretted that, but I think they were the right choice. I'd do it again!
Maclennane Jan 2017 6:41pm, 17 Jan 2017 19,336 posts	0 Maclennane Wow, "not as tough as Lakeland trails" is a hell of a modifier!
beebop Jan 2017 7:40pm, 17 Jan 2017 876 posts	0 beebop Is it? Only trail marathon I've done, and I was shattered by the end. Could barely drag myself to the pub for food...