They tackled heavy rain, rough terrain and a smattering of leisurely tourists but our guys crossed the finish line triumphant and having raised more than £500 for Manchester Beats Cancer. Read their post-run analysis about how it feels to have taken on a mountain and won … just.
Leon
@milnsy14“In one word. Brutal. But what a day, what a challenge and what a feeling of unbridled exhilaration when I crossed the finish line. What preceded that was 22 miles of the hardest running, walking and climbing that I have ever undertaken. Looking back on Man vs Mountain over the weekend as I alternated between hot and cold baths to ease my cramping limbs, I felt a great sense of achievement at what we’d accomplished. This event was the kick-starter to our #ManchesterBeatsCancer fundraising. We are trying to raise both as much money as we can but also awareness across the North West in the hope that as a region we can come together as a community in the battle to beat Cancer.
The idea to run 22 miles up and down Snowdon was borne a few months ago in the office when a handful of us were thinking about a challenge that would give us collective focus, a bit of needle and plenty of banter. We all put the hard yards in over the recent weeks in the gym and some of us were coyer than others about how much effort we’d put in (no names being mentioned!).
The race itself was harder than the 2 previous marathons I have completed – the terrain was ragged on the way up, the clouds descended, and the heavens opened as the incline became brutal. The pace slowed down and more and more people were lining the mountain taking a breather. Not us. We dug deep mentally and cracked on. Step by step was our mindset. To make matters worse, the visibility reduced to about 10 meters but the 3 of us cracked on and made it to the top of Snowdon in little over 2 hours 30 minutes. An epic achievement. That was the easy bit though and going down was a different matter. The pounding on the ankles and thighs was unbearable and the loose rocks under our feet made the descent perilous.
We made it however, all in one piece and hugely rewarded – knackered and in pain, but we all shared a beer at the finish line!”
Sam
@19sammy94“As with these kinds of events the day started early for us all with butterflies and mixed emotions. These feelings never settle fully until the race begins and you begin to think of the 22 mile trudge up and down Snowdon. I have completed a marathon off the back of two 3rds of an IronMan. I can safely say that was the worst endurance run I’ve completed to date.
Its physically and mentally tough. The need to keep plodding whilst all those around you are stopping to consume calories is demotivating. We summited Snowdon in a respectable time considering the substantial climb. From there it was plain sailing, or so we thought.
The pounding nature of 6 miles downhill with gravity dragging you down is gruelling. Followed by a final vertical 1 kilometre. conveniently hidden near the start line, just when you think you’re close to finishing they spring the most vertical kilometre you’ve seen.
All of us were focusing on beating the others and having lost track of race positions it was uncertain. Nathan and I were reunited just before the finish line. We both looked like broken individuals and trundled over the finish line.
Did I enjoy the experience? Yes. Did I find it the hardest long-distance event I’d run? Absolutely. Will I be running it again next year? No 100% not.
However, I will be finding something much more challenging. All suggestions are welcome!”
Nathan
@nathanputsey22 “Without a shadow of doubt, that was by far the most mentally and physically challenging thing I’ve ever encountered. From start to finish it was a roller coaster of emotional ups and downs parallel to those of Mount Snowdon. From the bulging blisters on my feet to my badly chaffed unmentionables my entire body is in bits, however nothing can cloud the overwhelming sense of achievement and satisfaction I feel.”
There’s still time to sponsor the lads for their determination and resilience in raising awareness and funds for a very worthwhile cause.
Do you run an event like Man vs Mountain? Our team want to hear from you for our 2019 charity challenge!