Race To The Stones 2023 (100km, Threshold Sports) - MUCH Harder Than I Was Expecting

Race To The Stones is one of the UK's biggest ultramarathons. Starting in Lewknor, Oxfordshire and ending at the iconic Avebury stone circle from the neolithic age (in Wiltshire), the course is filled with runnable climbs and nicely maintained trails.
I took this race on exactly 3 weeks after my last 100k, Mozart 100 (UTMB) in Austria. Shortly after that race, I fell ill and couldn't run at all for two weeks. Come the third week, I was getting my strength back and decided to take a gamble and give the race a go. How hard could it be? Very hard, as I was about to find out!
Join me as I take on Race To The Stones 100km 2023.
www.runningcaf...
My running gear:
Road shoes - amzn.to/47MSCy5
Trail all rounder - amzn.to/48l0Jmk
Trail for wet, muddy conditions - amzn.to/3NTb7cT
GPS running watch - amzn.to/3NT72FM
Running backpack - amzn.to/3OgDbY3
Bottles - amzn.to/48riSPE
Waterproof jacket amzn.to/3S8pP2b
Headtorch amzn.to/3S7SHaH
Sunglasses amzn.to/3U8DY0X
Poles harrierrunfree....
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Electrolyte powder - amzn.to/3U8DZSz
Wireless earphones amzn.to/48Ne07f
Travel size sunscreen SPF 50 amzn.to/3RNcWJA
My Strava performance on the day: / strava
WATCH NEXT (RECOMMENDED PLAYLISTS): 🎥
Races: www.tinyurl.co...
Top tips for running: www.tinyurl.co....
LET'S CONNECT: ✅
Follow me on Strava: / strava
Follow me on Instagram: @craigbarden1
HOW I MAKE MY VIDEOS: 📷
My filming gear:
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Mic: Rodesmartlav+ - amzn.to/3dyq42v
Joby 3K Tripod - amzn.to/3jNk72N
SAMTIAN 58 inch Tripod - amzn.to/3b6QLZD
Music by Epidemic Sound - epidemicsound....
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:12 - 0km - 9km
02:07 - 10km - 21.6km
03:15 - 21.km - 35km
04:37 - 36km - 49km
05:53 - 50km - 59km
07:16 - 60km - 72.8km
08:51 - 72.9km - 88km
10:17 - 88km - 100km
12:10 - Placement and A Few Thoughts
#racetothestones #100km #ultramarathon
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[@runningcafe1]

For a detailed, written account of my experience, check out my blog post here: www.runningcafe.online/post/my-experience-running-race-to-the-stones-100km All of the gear I use for running, and to make my videos, is linked in the description. 👟 🎥

[@Eleanor_Runner_102]

So good to watch this, thanks for filming. Had Mozart 100 just prior and am ALSO super sick right now with RTTS in a week, so watching this with our almost identical situation is reassuring! Great video

[@michaelbennett6778]

Great running Craig and that is a fabulous time for most of us let alone just 3 weeks after another hugely challenging ultra !! Great job 👏

[@runningcafe1]

Thanks for that Michael, much appreciated! I found it tough after the 3 week break but glad to have got it done!

[@mattthorne7412]

Would argue you were tired because you had run a 100k only 3 weeks earlier, not because you hadn't run in the 3 weeks in between!

[@runningcafe1]

That's a possibility for sure!

[@Ijustkeptrunning]

Super running mate! Such a good time too. Think you deserve a rest now😅. Glad I made the cut in your video at the start too 😂

[@runningcafe1]

Thanks so much mate! I was a bit disappointed with my time to be honest, but given the 3 week break I think it's fine haha. Yes, a rest is a good idea maybe! I saw you at the start, getting the shots in! Nice little cameo there 😂 I made one in your video too 😂

[@dagger7227]

Great video was there that day took 24hrs to finish through the thunderstorms and the cold and the darkness ,great run ,well done on that time

[@runningcafe1]

Thanks very much. Congratulations to you for finishing it, the conditions were pretty brutal for sure!

[@stuartwalker6786]

Love these videos Craig! ... well done again especially as you stayed so positive even though it was super tough!

[@runningcafe1]

Thanks Stuart, I really appreciate that!

[@Kosh42EFG]

Got to be a good video. I spotted my feet at aid station 7 with the rainbow laces 😂 Seriously, excellent running!

[@shaunnicholson5389]

Well done Craig, it has been a big summer of running for you! Can't believe you did two 100km events 3 weeks apart. Impressive mate.

[@runningcafe1]

Cheers Shaun, it sure has been a busy one so far!

[@joannaw3101]

Hi Craig, I really like the positive vibe of your videos, you always manage to find something positive even if going gets tough. Onwards and upwards! Keep on running! Really great run.

[@runningcafe1]

Thanks very much for that, it's much appreciated. I'll certainlly keep on running!

[@zydrunasjursa9338]

I love everything you do but I look forward to your marathons the most. Thanks Craig.

[@runningcafe1]

Thanks mate. I am doing a half marathon and a marathon in September, so there will be more of that type of content soon 👍

[@maidstoneharriers5731]

Slowly becoming one of the club's craziest member's. Well done!

[@bardn5350]

It was good to be back out there, with you this time! Well done again 💪🏻

[@runningcafe1]

Cheers boy and well done for smashing it!

[@jamesbarnes9469]

Well done Craig! 👍 Another great video! 👏👍

[@runningcafe1]

Thanks James!

[@Kelly_Ben]

Wow, congrats on your race, and on your 10th ultra!

[@runningcafe1]

Thanks Kelly! 😄

[@philhooper1540]

Great video - keep it up 👍

[@nicmarlow6388]

lovely Craig, lovely! Brutal conditions out there last weekend that's for sure. Glad you overall enjoyed it though, must have been nice running with your bro until he took off ahead of you, rude 😂) I found the underfoot conditions really tough but overall enjoyed it (could have done without the biblical rain tho!). Hope you're recovering well and starting to feel a bit better?

[@runningcafe1]

Thanks Nic!! I know, how rude of my brother to have a surge ahead like that 🤣 The conditions were pretty tough going in sections and the weather didn't make things any easier. Glad you enjoyed it overall! Yeah, recovered well and feeling much better thank you ☺️

[@nicmarlow6388]

@@runningcafe1 I mean, it's like he wanted to beat you! 🤣 glad you're feeling better!

[@sturgmanrunning8546]

Well done mate 👏

[@runningcafe1]

Thank you!

[@avinashbhogun]

💪🏽

[@reluctantfellrunner]

Well done. Legs might still be a bit heavy.

[@runningcafe1]

Thank you!

[@mattjohnson4922]

What time did it start?

[@runningcafe1]

6am

[@danwright7779]

Was there a cut off time for the 100km in one go?

[@runningcafe1]

There were cut off times, but they were extremely big because lots of people were hiking the 100k continuous in addition to runners

[@danwright7779]

@@runningcafe1 thinking of doing it next year, have you got a training plan that I could use please ?

[@runningcafe1]

@@danwright7779 I don't have a training plan to share, I didn't use one. Everyone is different, but I'd recommend high volume training done at a low intensity for an ultra like this