ULTRA RACE VLOG | Shires and Spires 50k (2024)

In today's video:
I take on my second ever ultra marathon, the Shires and Spires Ultra (56km or 35 miles). It turns out to be the hottest weekend of the year so far. My friends, who had been due to run with me, had unfortunately had to pull out of the race, leaving me to battle on alone....or had they?
Please visit the KZbin channels of my good friends, Ashley and Phil:
/ @skinnylegsbarefootshoes
/ @trailrunningphil
This is my trail ultra marathon race day vlog from my race on 12th May 2024 in Naseby, Northamptonshire, UK.
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You can follow me on Strava, here:
/ strava
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Please like and SUBSCRIBE for more fun running content.
/ @markg99
#running #run #vlog #runningvlog #chesterfield #trailrunning #trailrun #gopro #hero10 #spireultra #ultramarathon #chesterfieldroundwalk #walking #hiking #derbyshire #rambling #ultrarunning
#shiresandspires #gobeyondultra #gobeyond #50k #50km #racevlog #race
#ultra

[@ecosseliftingservices466]

Omg! The horse! The VAN! 😂 the NavAnx!! Really well done ❤ you did so so brilliantly! What a relief! Angela

[@markg99]

Yep, the horse, van and nav anx were certainly highlights! lol. Thanks, Angela, I really appreciate all the support throughout. Couldn't have been happier with how things went on the big day :)

[@MihaiGoRunning]

Mark, your journey through the Shires and Spires Ultra Marathon was nothing short of epic! From the awesome race number (444:), matching socks to conquering hills, early morning start to the final push across the finish line, you showed nothing but pure grit and passion. Congrats on smashing your target time! Here's to many more victorious races ahead, Mark! 💪

[@markg99]

Cheers mate! I have such fond memories from that race now. So glad it went as well as it did and I managed to grind through the really tough bit towards the end.

[@bev9708]

😂😂THE TESTICAL MAN😂😂 💪🏃🏅BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO Mark!!!! 🏅🏃💪 Seems you're a professional ultra runner now with a professional van and a professional crew to match!!!! Outstanding!!! So nice to see Phil there, I bet he was a bit jealous !! Loved hearing you say it was all worth it!! Well, you've beaten my longest run now so you've given me a new goal to go for!! Big CONGRATS Mark!!!🍾🥂👏👏👏

[@markg99]

😁 Thanks, Bev! The van was hilarious. Was not expecting that to turn up on the day. I did feel like a bit of a celebrity with the crew and special van, parked up at every check point. Glad to have provided a new goal, though I have no doubt you'll smash past that in no time!

[@soupyruns9709]

2 seconds in and I’m already loving this video, the van logo 😂😂😂

[@markg99]

I couldn't believe it when the van turned up with my name all over it! I was grinning from that point on I think :) This race was so different than I would have expected, and so much better. I can't thank Ash and Phil enough for the efforts they put in on my behalf. Top old lads :)

[@TheDeterminedRunner]

Excellent job Mark! Great to see Ash and Phil came along to help out, the van was a great touch (especially at the end) 😂😂 You did really well throughout, though you did miss a trick by not jumping on the ultra horse 🐴 I was surprised at the lack of markers near the end, I’d definitely have taken a wrong turn or three! Well done again mate 👍

[@markg99]

Cheers, Martin! Couldn't ask for better crew on the day, they were just great. The van makes me chuckle, even thinking back to it now :) I think ultra horse was a bit fast even for me to jump on lol. It wouldn't be a proper run for me, without a few wrong turns!

[@BenNotley]

The crew van was absolutely incredible! Just as incredible as your performance mate! What a cracking run! Truly inspirational stuff. Huge kudos bud! 👏🏅😎🤘

[@markg99]

I couldn't believe what Ash had done with his van when it turned up. Really made my day lol. Thanks so much mate. Last I heard, you were crushing your big race, which is awesome to hear, but not unexpected. Go Ben, go!

[@mattgrant402]

Well done bro! It’s great that you had some nice chaps to support you! the random horse joining the marathon was hilarious 🐎 I’m proud of you 🤩

[@markg99]

Cheers bro! I'd almost forgotten about the horse lol. Was quite funny when it suddenly just came bolting past me. Glad I got the camera out in time. Can't beat having some really kind, and experienced ultra runners, to help out on the day.

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Congrats Mark! Kudos for smashing your target 50K time. Having a crew and support is a game changer. Well deserved recovery time.

[@markg99]

Thanks, Reto :) I was really happy to beat my goal time. About 45 mins faster than my first 50k, felt like good progress. Can't thank my crew enough, they were superb!

[@rachelhobson5725]

Brilliant vlog! Did the spires and shires last year (the other way round) and believe I had the same navigation drama with the hedge 😂. Great memories and well done Mark - smashing it!!!

[@markg99]

Thanks, Rachel 🙂👍🏻 It was a great race. Really enjoyed the route, even with the navigation drama 😄

[@tworunningbrooms]

Superb Vlog, Mark. That route looked really picturesque. Just the sort of thing we like to run on for up to about 10 miles! Architecture looked lovely. You seemed to really enjoy it despite the inevitable low points and the support crew was superb. Keen to find out what's next for you.

[@markg99]

Cheers, John :) It was a beautiful route, and the lovely little villages, houses, and churches were obvious highlights. Great to have the sunny weather to really make everything look nice on the day. I definitely enjoyed it, and although I was wondering what on earth I was doing there when the real fatigue set in, I knew I'd be able to look back and appreciate it in the end.

[@essextrails]

Brilliant stuff Mark. Well done mate. Great bit of filming showing a beautiful course. Support from Phil and Ash must have been appreciated. Hope you know what was in those tablets Phil kept forcing on you! Guess the channel is up for a name change now. Mark G The Testical Man: Hilarious. Hope recovery goes well.

[@markg99]

Cheers, Pete! The video from two perspective, thanks to Ash and Phil, really helped to tell the story. I'm not used to having someone else's camera pointed at me, so that was a new experience! Phil had offered to bring down some of the salt tablets he swears by to prevent cramp, so I had one on the day, but after it took me about 5 attempts to swallow the thing, he didn't offer again. I'm not great with large tablets :) Didn't get cramp though, so it's all good. The Testical Man van was the icing on the cake, on a fantastic day 😁👍

[@IRunDaily]

Amazing job Mark and a testament to the training and hard work you've put in. Great that had such amazing support along the way too. You finished an ultra in daylight which is now than I've ever done!😅

[@markg99]

Thanks a lot, Ian :) If Carlsberg did support crews.... I can't imagine running from morning into night. I'd be a broken man! Maybe one day :)

[@nimrod2020]

Congrats Mark! I appreciate your channel and the inspiration it provides.

[@markg99]

Thanks a lot! :) Much appreciated.

[@lornamc5928]

The van!!! what a day and what a race.. ! Great great video too. I couldn't wait to see it. Brings back bad memories of shredded legs from Saturday! congratulations!!!

[@markg99]

Thanks, Lorna! :) It was one of my best days out in recent memory. The van, the support, the great race...could have done with being a few degrees cooler, but we can't have everything! Hopefully your shredded legs are feeling ready to go again now.

[@ChloeHamard]

The van was brilliant! Congrats Mark, awesome effort especially in those conditions - and kudos to your crew. I totally get the navigation anxiety on the course, I'd feel the same! Hopefully the drive home wasn't too taxing and you're recovering well!

[@markg99]

Thanks, Chloe! The van was a real highlight, wasn't it! Made me grin as soon as I saw it. Having people to follow was one of things that kept me running when I was tired. I didn't want to be navigating by myself... :)

[@timeonfeet]

Amazing Mark, well done on beating your target and what a crew! Phil and Ash did such a great job in supporting you and that van is legendary

[@markg99]

Thanks, Ben! Coming from a 100km mountain legend like yourself, that means a lot :) Hope your recovery is going well still mate.

[@racheld1844]

Great video Mark (and team!!) What a wonderful time you all had….and that van was something else! Well done on your ultra, the training miles paid off. Rory ran this so was intently watching every turn and path to see if he recognised any of it. Just a derelict farm building with no roof was about it 🤣🤣 Hope the recovery is going well Mark.

[@markg99]

Thanks, Rachel. The roofless farm building was the main highlight of course! lol. I think I'm fully recovered now, at least enough to get my first ever parkrun done today. I still seem to be a way off 21 minutes, but I've got a marker laid down now, so I'll have to keep at it :)

[@RunningGeekGirl]

Great race, testicle man! 🤣🤣🤣 All that training really paid off! So impressed that you kept your heart rate in check even with the warm weather. Congrats on a great day! 🤓

[@markg99]

Thanks, Heather :) I wasn't sure what to think when I saw the van, especially with the comedy on the side after opening the door lol.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Bloody amazing. What a journey. Glad you smashed your goal 👌 Thoroughly enjoyed the video 👍

[@markg99]

Cheers Stu! Was waiting for the wheels to fall off near the end but somehow it all went to plan, despite being proper hard.

[@RobinDS-m1g]

Well done! Your training got you all the way there....50k. Nice one.

[@markg99]

Thanks! The training went so much better than my first ultra, and I was just really happy with how I felt on race day. Confidence was high and it all went to plan. Could hardly believe it. Not to say it wasn't really hard in places, especially towards the end, but was so happy with it :)

[@NorthernFellRunning]

Well done Mark. 👏👏👏

[@markg99]

Cheers, Graeme! It was a great race, probably just needed a few mountains and bogs chucked in to make it perfect :)

[@movemorenowjames]

Great stuff Mark, top run, top crew and brilliant van.

[@markg99]

Thanks, James! You summed up the day for me nicely there mate. Had a great time :)

[@trailrunningphil]

Really enjoyed supporting you Mark. My life has taken a turn and I just couldn’t train for it so did the very next best thing and tried to make sure your day went ok. A superb effort out there on a blistering hot day!

[@skinnylegsbarefootshoes]

Up the support team massive whoop whoop 🤣👍

[@markg99]

Thanks mate! You did more than make sure it went ok. I had the best day, and you were the best support crew I could have wished for. Having had no idea how things would pan out, it was just a fantastic day, like a dream. Really appreciate you travelling down and going to all that effort to help me out, and it made such a huge difference. I'm hoping we can catch up again in the future. Cheers! :)

[@trailrunningphil]

@@markg99 When you volunteer or support a runner you will see how much satisfaction there is from doing just that! Anything else caught your eye for the future?

[@markg99]

@@trailrunningphil Absolutely. Towards the end of a race especially, the runners need all the help they can get! I'm still waiting for something else to do. Not going to rush in just yet. Parkrun and a local 5k are likely candidates to start with. Those ultras are a big commitment 🥵😄

[@trailrunningphil]

@@markg99 Yeah they really are.

[@SeeChadRun]

Love the custom van graphics! 😆 Well done!

[@markg99]

Thanks, Chad! It was a big surprise to me when my buddy turned up with his van all decorated up for me :D It really added something to the experience.

[@averagewanderers]

YES! the van is AWESOME and its even funnier at the end haha!!! That was the longest goooo I have ever heard for a start too haha. What an absolutely perfect run, the weather looked great (couldn't feel the heat through the computer screen anyways), you had a wonderful supportive crew and your attitude was refreshing the whole way through! Way to have a successful training period and have the outcome prove it! Congratulations and can't wait to see what you do next, keep on inspiring!

[@markg99]

Thanks, Jen :) That goooooooooooo was very impressive lol. Did I mention how hot it was! 🤣 If my future training blocks go as well as this, I'll be extremely happy. Amazed, but happy!

[@Runningonthemind]

Love it - And your van is epic. Massive achievement, well done Mark, hope the drive home wasn't too painful.

[@markg99]

Thanks! The van was a big surprise on the day. Ashley had been decorating it especially for the event, and I was in stitches when it pulled up. Was so funny to see it parked up at each check point.

[@raleyadventures]

That was an absolute pleasure to watch Mark ☺️ thoroughly enjoyed that and it made all the training worth 🎉 go and have a nice lye down 🔥

[@markg99]

Thanks guys! It turned out better than I could have imagined. Definitely needed a lie down at the end, if not before lol.

[@alansouthwick97]

Nice 1 Mark well done😜👍

[@markg99]

Cheers, Al! Good to hear from you mate. 👍😊

[@ChasingFeatsXtra]

Amazing stuff Mark! All that work you put in. Man what a run! Bravo indeed! Just fantastic journey and video as well. 💪💪

[@markg99]

Cheers, Martin :) All the training turns out to be worthwhile in the end, and it's just lucky that we also love doing it (most of the time)!

[@DanRuns]

How far you’ve come since those early days! Kudos!

[@markg99]

Yes indeed, Dan. I hardly recognise myself in those old running videos. It's great to have that stack of old videos to look back, like you always say, to document bits of your life that you and others will be able to enjoy in later years. Thanks :)

[@KoiRun50]

Well executed run and video. Loved it. Congrats Mark!

[@markg99]

Cheers Sid! It all went to plan, somehow, amazingly :)

[@RunSensible]

First off, I love the van I want one, where can a buy one? Great video. It's always good seeing other KZbinrs pop up in videos, great seeing Phil. Well done, Sparky on an amazing run and a great time. Good stuff💪💪

[@markg99]

Haha! I'll have to put you in touch with Ashley for the custom van graphics :) He really made a big effort to make it a memorable day with his support van. This was my first time meeting up with fellow KZbinrs, so it was just a great day all round. Thanks a lot mate :)

[@FitnessBanjo]

Nice job! I need to do the same to my car lol

[@markg99]

Thanks! I think the van was one of the big highlights of the day :)

[@BradleySingerRuns]

Congratulations on the race. what a wonderful race vlog too. great to capture all race in all its glory. what a lovely day to take a nice 50k. it might have been hot but at least it didnt rain :-)

[@markg99]

Thanks a lot mate 👍🏻 You're right about the weather. If it was chucking it down with rain all day, my complaining would've gone into overdrive!

[@runningcafe1]

Nice work Mark, excellent to see the training and hard work paying off!

[@markg99]

Cheers, Craig. Hope you're doing well mate. I don't think I've seen as much of your content lately, so hope any niggles are behaving themselves.

[@thelittlepotcompany]

Great running Mark! did you set your heart rate alarm at the top of your zone 2 or something? maybe I'll try that next time, thanks!

[@markg99]

Cheers Tom! My heart rate alarm is set to let me know when I go above zone 2, and I tend to leave it like that for every run, just to let me know where I am, and to remind me to check my effort levels. I didn't necessarily slow down when the alert went off, but it made me at least mindful of how much I was pushing so I could make a judgement call.

[@thelittlepotcompany]

@@markg99 Ok thanks. How would you say this one compares to The Spire Ultra? Have you got any more planned?

[@markg99]

@@thelittlepotcompany The Spire Ultra is a little bit shorter but a lot more hilly. I'd say the Spire is harder. The hot weather didn't help on the day for the Shires, and I didn't know the route so that made it tricky in a couple of places. At the moment, no plans, but I'd really like to do the Spire again, now I'm a bit more clued up. See if I can beat my time off 8h7 min. How about you mate?

[@thelittlepotcompany]

@@markg99 I'm attempting Round Rotherham in October, not sure how that will go! I think I'll try the Spire again next year, it was a nice route, might see you there :)

[@jase0171]

Well done mate great video looked like hard work in that heat , amazing race shows all the training paid off , how did the sex lube do ?? 😜😜

[@markg99]

Cheers mate :) The heat did make a difference, but I was glad it wasn't raining on the day. I had some lube on the feet, but I think I should have worn my Speedgoats instead of the Asics. No amount of lube was going to stop them from giving me a blister on each foot, but I got there in the end anyway!