Saturday 24th March 2024

‘You versus You’

The rules of Fortitude are simple.  Entrants are awarded an event medal and coloured finishers shirt 🖤❤️ 💙 based on their ability to complete 10 laps of 3mile 💙, 4mile ❤️or 5mile 🖤loops within 10 hours.

A runner can change down distance at any time based on how the day is going but must complete all 10 laps and return back to the race village within each hour 🕰️ The finishing grade is determined by the shortest of the 10 laps completed.

This challenging course held at Pippingford Park, takes in up to 700ft of elevation, and is run on gravel paths and mixed terrain.  Used by the MOD for training cadets and more notably the home of Tough Mudder events, it’s both scenic 🌅 and beastly 🤣

Tom Price 🎨 , Fluffy 🐌 and Tinks 🧚🏻 joined some of their fellow neighbours from Heathfield Road Runners ❤️ where camps were set up from the back of vehicles for the day.  Almost like a day at the races 🐎 but the bubbles 🍾 and canapés switched for Coke, gels, bananas and a whole host of carb/sugar induced goodies.

Tom 🎨, Tinks 🧚🏻 and Fluffs 🐌 all started on the 4-mile loop ❤️ with Tom completing all 10 laps and running 40 miles💪🏼.  Tom turns 4️⃣0️⃣ this year and was determined to do this for his birthday.  He crossed the finish line with little Arthur hand in hand 🥰

Fluffy 🐌, running with a swollen ankle 🙄after fighting with a pothole days before, amazingly completed 5 loops of 4-miles before switching down to the 3-mile loop 💙where he crossed the finish line with a total mileage of 35 miles 🤩

Tinks 🧚🏻 also started on the 4-mile loop ❤️ where she completed 6 loops before switching to the 3-mile course 💙 ending with 36 miles in the bag and a second Fortitude challenge done ✔️

For anyone thinking about doing this it is a fantastic day, which tests everything you have but also teaches you about pacing, and fuelling.   Everyone can do it! 🤩

Of course we couldn’t have done it without the support of each other, our wonderful HRR neighbours and of course Coach Julie Lewis-Clements, she was most definitely the brightest, loudest most awesome marshal of the day ☀️🌟🩵💜