Ryston endurance runner reflects on his exploits

A week on from his endurance exploits, Ryston Ultra Runner Dan Yallop has had time to report and reflect on his Bank Holiday achievement.Yallop completed the Skye Ultramarathon, covering, 80.75 miles/130km, with just under 15,000 ft elevation and descent, in 26 hours 29 minutes.This was the longest distance he had covered to date, and his first mountain endurance race.Yallop said, “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I loved every minute, including the eight-mile stretch at midnight, where my head was savage, wanting to quit, and falling asleep on my feet.””With the weather being unforgiving for pretty much the whole race, I definitely benefited from having such a committed and efficient support team, making sure my fuelling and changes of kit were covered.”Yallop added: “My squad were amazing with everything, it made me quite emotional how awesome they were and made me enjoy the best race date of my life.”The scenery was captivating, I feel so lucky and privileged to have been able to be in a position to enjoy such an experience.”Out of 100 runners, there were only 48 finishers, of which Yallop was number 48, having stayed with and helped some other competitors en route. He is now focusing on preparing for the Round Norfolk Relay in September before his next marathon effort, in Frankfurt, in October. At Ferry Meadows, in Peterborough, on Sunday, Ryston’s Gina Hurrell won the F60 category in the five-mile event when finishing third female and 8th overall in 39:56, reducing her club age group record yet again in the process.In the 10-mile event at the same fixture, Julie Williamson, finishing in 12th place overall in 1:16:42, was second female overall and first F40.Matty Parker, 57th in 1:34:45, was 3rd M50, and Kathryn Parker was 7th F45, in 102nd place with 1:58:22.Meanwhile, the club was successfully represented at this year’s Alex Moore Relays by three young athletes, Belle McKenzie, Cody Pearman, and Dylan Whitehouse, who won the Mixed Junior category.Lee Valley continued to prove a successful venue for Ella Goldring, who ran a PB of 12.77 to win her heat of the 100m, while other Ryston youngsters flourished at the Quadkids fixture in Thetford, particularly Riley Price, who won gold in the U13B competition.