Ryston Runners AC had two teams involved in covering the 17 variable-length stages, both of which finished second in their respective categories.
The Club Class team, managed by Adam Matthews, led off by Danny Smith and brought home, 21 hours 22 minutes and 26 seconds later by Nathan Stockdale, also featured four individual stage category winners in the shape of Dawn Robinson, Charlie Wakefield, Amy Southam, and Cody Pearman.
They recorded the fourth fastest time over the weekend.
The Mixed team, under the management of Lesley Robins, posted the 18th fastest time of 25:05:36.
Both teams had experienced some last-minute changes due to injury withdrawals and having to juggle runners between the teams.
That this was achieved, apparently seamlessly, is a credit to the organisation and team spirit that characterises the club.
A vital part of the success of the club’s participation is the support teams, cyclists, timekeepers, drivers, many of whom would love to run a stage but are prepared to sacrifice that and make time to enable others to take the glory.
Club Team: Danny Smith, Adam Matthews, Molly Sands, Ben Keeley, James O’Neill, Anna Kahn, Dylan Whitehouse, Dawn Robinson, Nic Bensley, Daniel Barnes, Shakur Casaleiro, Rob Simmonds, Charlie Wakefield, Cody Pearman, Amy Southam, Jurgita Jovasiene, Nathan Stockdale.
Mixed Team: Ben Elmer, Gareth Hunt, Lucy McDowie, Lee Johnson, Graeme Leeson, Sarah Johnson, Kirsty Butters, Linda Marshall, Lesley Robins, Dan Yallop, Warren Armstrong, Jake Whitehouse, Michael Howlett, Kate Penn, Hayley Hawes, Belle McKenzie, James Ord.
For Ben Elmer, his lead-out run on the Round Norfolk Relay Stage one for the Ryston Mixed team was a warm-down from his efforts of the previous weekend when he pitted himself against the notorious Dragon’s Back Ultra in Wales.
Starting in the grounds of Conway Castle, to the uplifting strains of Welsh music, with the destination target being the finish in Cardiff, Elmer was under no illusions about how hard the challenge ahead could be.
Dealing with an elevation of 15000 feet, in relentless rain, in his words, “every kind of rain there is – little bitty stinging rain, big fat rain, rain that flew in sideways, and sometimes rain that seemed to come straight up from underneath) all day and through the night, Elmer completed the first day in good form and spirits.
He started the second day well, but then fell victim to stomach issues.
Unable to take on and absorb adequate fuel for the climbs and distances ahead, he made the very tough decision to withdraw from the main race.
A change of mindset enabled him, after much soul-searching, to turn a setback into a great comeback, resolving to do the remaining four half days with 110% effort.
He finished the week with 135 miles in 34 hours, taking in 37000 feet of elevation.
Acknowledging the input of friends and family who support him through the training and execution of these events, Elmer commented that what motivates him above all is the hope that his efforts might inspire others to attempt to do something they do not think they are capable of.
His #neverfadeneverquit tag and the fact that he has now been sponsored by the forty2 running club will ensure that there is no chance of any grass growing under his feet any time soon.
Missing, and missed, from the Ryston RNR teams were Julie and Justin Walker, running yet another marathon together, this time in Richmond.
Justin finished 260th/15thM50 in 3:29:00 and Julie 304th/7thF40 with 3:33:08.
