It’s approaching 7pm on Friday evening. We are somewhere north of the Cromarty Firth approaching Alness.

I’ve been with the team since 5pm the night before. Sleeping in car for a few broken hours in a deserted Aviemore car park, driving hundreds of miles to get there and get home. I dodged trucks, ticks and got sunburn on my neck and blisters on the tops of my toes.

All to run alongside Dan for about 75 or so miles, to try and help his relentless march to the signpost at John O’Groats.

And it was worth it, and more. For at that point, as the sun shone down beautifully across the Scottish Highlands, I witnessed a resurrection that makes me want to cover The Stone Roses classic but to change the chorus to Dan is the Resurrection.

I had goosebumps watching Dan slug out mile after mile. Just five hours earlier Dan had pleaded with his crew for a rest. He was breaking down. The incessant mileage and the madness of Scotland’s most dangerous road, the brutal A9, had begun to put Dan in a dark place in both body and mind.

A team effort

I got to witness an amazing balance of athlete care, record focus and excellent decision making in what was approaching the 9th day of continuous epic endeavour. The next steps at this point could make the difference between success and failure. Too reckless at this stage could make for regrets. Not bold enough could make for regrets. The balance was delicate.

Make no mistake, this is not only physically and mentally demanding undertaking for the runner, but for their crew it is as brutal and demanding in its own way for so many different reasons.

But, where are my manners? You may have no idea what the hell I am yapping about here.

In short order. Dan Lawson set a new record running from Lands End to John O’Groats. He bested Richard Brown’s 10 days and 2 hours mark, taking it to 9 days and 21 hours (+change) and in the process beat the 10 hour mark. This is LEJOG’s 4 minute mile.

And I had a ringside seat for a small part of it.

Photo: Dave MacFarlane

The community has a front row seat

Ultrarunning is well known for its accessibility and community. I mean, you can’t just rock up and run with Laura Muir as she attempts a record run. But the average runner can spend a mile or two with Dan as he undertakes this LEJOG mission.

In fact, it is encouraged. From Penzance to Perth it was happening every day. It has the twin benefits of giving a fillip to the runner, the record chaser, whilst at the same time helping reinforce that sense of camaraderie that makes this facet of the long distance two-legged propulsion game so unique.

Meanwhile, Dan has a level of generosity of spirit – an attitude of gratitude – that makes people gravitate towards him like metal to a magnet.

Running alongside Dan for the short time I did (relative to his overall charge) was a lesson in determination and drive. His crew are exceptional. Charlotte is as focused and tough and caring as you could wish for in a partner. Always striking the balance of compassion and competition.

Robbie Britton is someone I have experience with in the GB24 team, but this is a different level, needing different decisions for different cares and concerns. As Dan began to wobble midway through Day 8, I watched Robbie and Charlotte get smart quickly. They understand the inner workings of their runner. Charlotte knows the man and the athlete, and Robbie the athlete and the man. That balance showed up so importantly in that moment.

Fresh plans late in the day

A new plan was hatched. A eye on how to best maintain the forward momentum needed to ensure that John O’Groats would be reached before 7am on Sunday. That was what was required to make the record happen.

I watched people come and go and give over anything that Dan needed, that the team needed, in selfless shows of support and it warmed my heart. I got to meet long time social media friends Jim Mann and Ally Beaven. Ambulance drivers shouting encouragement.

Random people with cameras rocking up in lay-bys and passing places to snatch blurred images or wobbly videos of Dan as he pushed north. Him always thanking them. Always.

Then there was Alan Rankin – the physio from the GB squad – who must have driven well over 1,500 miles to meet Dan in various locations at the end of many days just to rub some life back into his aching legs. And, of course, the indefatigable encouragement machine that is Mick Seymour. He’s my Mick Seymour on GB duty. But for 10 days he was Dan’s and Dan’s alone. Except when I needed coke and Clif bar.

As if to make the point about the way this sport is about the community, the previous record holder, Richard Brown, had used planes, bikes and automobiles to be there for the last few days and to help push Dan on. HIs interest was in seeing the record go down. His record. His mark. By his friend.

Dan Lawson LeJog 2020 Teaser from Dave MacFarlane on Vimeo.

More than just the runner, a whole community

On social media all you see are pictures of a runner. A bit of drama in the face at the smartly snapped shot, or a moment in time that cannot do the hours and days of toil, effort and emotion justice. It’s a snippet that can be positioned anyway the taker prefers it to. When you are inside the ropes as I had the honour of being for a couple of days, you see the inner workings of ambition, talent and team all combine to create legend and greatness. Which is exactly what happened here.

To see that was inspiring. It was humbling. It was something I am proud to have witnessed. It also has me google mapping. If that is a verb…

They say you should never meet your heroes. Frankly, if my experience of meeting Dan, a hero of mine, is anything to go by, I’d encourage you all to meet them and more. He is, quite frankly, amazing.

EPILOGUE: Dan and I passed an hour or so chatting as we created our dream teams for a West Ham v Celtic all star match. A nice example of how you pass time on a journey that lasts just shy of 240 hours. I have noted down both teams and may put them together for a simulated game, maybe Fast Running will post the match report one day. Jinky v Roberto Carlos (one of Dan’s wildcards) would be up there with LEJOG.

If you want to be one of the first to see the full film this autumn then the best plan of action is to follow @davemacfarlane on Instagram and join Dan and Charlotte @rerunclothing. We at Fast Running will keep you updated too. 

The post Down, but not out appeared first on Fast Running.

The women’s record has been hotly contested in recent years. In 2019 Sharon Gayter retained the record from Mimi Anderson when she ran 12 days, 11 hours and 6 minutes. This July GB 100k international Molinaro set off from the famous Land’s End signpost and arrived at the finish in 12 days and 30 minutes.

Keeping a strong and steady pace from the start, Molinaro showed real grit and determination when the weather turned up north. For those “dot-watching” or following on Instagram there were plenty of highs and lows, but the weather was a real test in Scotland.

When Lawson starts it might be a different meteorological challenge, a heat wave. The often topless ultra runner, who has been known to skirt up sand dunes like a lizard, might imagine it is a blessing. But all effort will have to be tempered in the heat, but more night running could be the answer.

There’ll be none of this sitting around for group photos malarkey this time.

The last attempt

Back in 2018 Lawson made a significant effort towards Andi Rivett’s nine day record, but ultimately came unstuck in the south west when the mega mileage caught up with him. This time round the focus won’t be on the questionable mark from Rivett, but the previous 10 day record of Richard Brown.

Last year Will Cockerell investigated the contentious record set back in 2002 by Andi Rivett, who performed well below this standard before and after. It is, alone, his only world class performance in a career of pretty average ultra running. The proof made possible by GPS units and trackers was simply not around in 2002.

So Lawson is targeting Brown’s record of 10 days and 2 hours, although he has suggested that if Rivett’s mark is at all achievable when in Scotland then he would be tempted to go through some sleepless nights. We’ll see how the crew feel about that.

It was targeting this seemingly impossible mark from the start last time that potentially caused Lawson’s implosion. 9-10 extra miles per day might not seem much, but it’s 80-90 minutes eating into sleep, recovery and eating time. There isn’t enough time in the day when you start slowing down too much.

Starting at the other end of the country, hopefully the wind is in Lawson’s favour.

The route

Starting at 5:00am on Thursday 6th August from Land’s End, the team will work their way up the country and Fast Running will be on hand to keep you updated. Well, I’ll be there helping Dan to perform to his best and can hopefully get the odd tweet and update out, but the previous sounded like we’d be in a helicopter following along.

For anyone wishing to dot-watch this fantastic record attempt then check out the tracking on the link here: We might even be able to do some British Ultra Running Podcasts on the road, as long as you’re willing to be lenient with sound quality.

The first night should finish around Okehampton, then up towards Bristol, Ludlow, Warrington, the Lake District and beyond. If you would like to come support then please be wary of local guidelines, appreciate that the whole crew if focused on Dan’s run and organise your own transport back to the start of your run.

Dave Macfarlane, who filmed Dan and I running across Jordan last year, will be on hand to try and catch the highs, but mainly the lows of such an epic journey. Fingers crossed Dan’s face doesn’t swell up just as much as last time.

Stop Shop

Whereas many might try raise money for charity during such an incredible run, Lawson has never been a normal person. With his wife Charlotte Jalley, he runs ReRun Clothing, who try and make runners think about their consumerism in sport.

So for the 10 days of LeJOG Dan isn’t asking people to donate money, but to stop spending. Constantly we are told we need to spend to boost the economy, buy new trainers when our old ones are fine and just keep purchasing shit we don’t need. We all do it, I’m guilty too.

Do you really need that new tee-shirt?

The challenge for this next 10 days is to stop shopping. Don’t buy new trainers online, think about what you already have and if you really do need that new purchase. Dan will be running the LeJOG entirely in second hand kit from ReRun and he’s asking you to just take a similar consideration.

It’s important to remember we don’t need to change the world with our actions, just change our world a little bit. You might think that it’s just a drop in the ocean if you change your own habits a little bit, but we can influence others and each small difference adds up.

Litter picking record breakers

Take Damo Hall’s focus on litter picking within his recent Pennine Way Record Attempt. Hall doesn’t think he’s cleared the whole path, but he’s making an effort, setting a good example and if we can all make a small difference in our own environment, then it can make a difference.

As we travel up the country we’ll be following Hall’s lead and trying to collect some litter from lay-bys, road sides and trails too.

It’s likely the record attempt might have a bigger carbon footprint than just staying at home, but being environmentally minded doesn’t mean you have to step out of society and live on a carbon-neutral collective in the woods.

Here’s to giving it your best

It wouldn’t be melodramatic to say that the 2018 JOGLE attempt nearly broke Dan. Many have said it’s just not possible to get back out there and really do it justice on the route, but the character of the man is that he couldn’t forget the record.

Dan Lawson has won epic adventures such as the Gobi Desert 400k and been European 24hr Champion, but this might still be his biggest task yet.

Yet if you don’t attempt those challenges that scare you then are you really ever going to discover your best. I’ll be cheering Dan on from the side of the road and if you can support, online, on the road side or by sharing some miles (or just by stopping shopping) then every little helps.

Want to run faster? For just £30 per month athletes are provided with a Final Surge plan for each day of the week, coaching advice from Robbie Britton and Tom Craggs, as well as access to the unique Fast Running Performance community.

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The post Dan Lawson to re-attempt LeJOG record appeared first on Fast Running.

We find it hard enough to stop for a stress fracture, so it’s not surprising that runners have been keeping the racing going however they can and even more inventively now that we are starting to race in a socially distant manner.

Last week ‘Pop up Races’ in Ireland premiered their new format, complete with the Eco Mist Sanitisation tent. It’s not quite the portaloos and sweaty huddles we’re used to but it is great to see races taking place in a responsible manner. They’ll be out in action again in Caragh, County Kildare next week.

It’s just one example of race organisers looking to creative and innovative ways to develop some kind of competitive action over coming months that we have seen.

Some footage from last nights event pic.twitter.com/UNf3M4CQdd

— Pop Up Races (@popupraces) June 10, 2020

Racing is constantly evolving at the moment, so let’s have a look at the ways in which the running world has been clearing the covid-hurdles over the last 7 days.

Blackburn Harriers AC go ‘there and back again’ in full club effort

On the less standard end of the virtual runs this week was the Blackburn Harriers AC’s End-to-End challenge. After participating in various more ‘normal’ events they were looking for something that would keep the momentum going and “challenge the whole club, not just parts of it”.

The idea of running Lands End to John O Groats as a club was cooked up on a 15 minute phone call but clearly captured imaginations as “160 athletes, covering sprints, middle distance, throws, endurance, jumps & hurdles stepped up to the challenge”. The team needed to cover one thousand four hundred and seven kilometres in 48 hours.

From 2.41k from a discus thrower (Sarah Henton) to Jonny Murphy covering just shy of 58k and Jess Judd adding her 22.53k the whole club from track to field to road took part and smashed the two-day target, finishing over the planned distance in one day alone.

So, they decided to “run home” from John O’Groats to their training ground at Witton Park Arena (another 846k). But despite these huge efforts the club had other ideas with many athletes taking part for the second day in a row meaning they again smashed their target and ended up with a a full there-and-back run from the club. For the full write-up (and it’s an inspiring read) follow this link.

Top to bottom in French ultra race

In France the Mil’kil or to give it its official name, “Les 1000 Kilometres de France” is currently taking place. It started at 7am last Sunday and crosses the entirety of France from the English Channel to the Mediterranean.

Unlike the laudable efforts of Blackburn Harriers above, this is not a combined club effort but 33 individual runners covering the awe-inspiring distance. The finish line will be closed 288 hours after the start on Friday June 26 at 07:00.

The organisers stress that it “is not a competition but a meeting of experienced runners, eager to compete against each other” hence, it’s not a virtual event but an actual one. You can track the progress of the intrepid not-racers, but Stephane Mathieu is currently a mere 93km away from the end and leading the competition ahead of Gerard Denis (881k in) and Louis Fouquet (855k).

Annie Paringaux (873k) is way way ahead of the only two other women on the course and looks, failing major events, like she’ll take the win. Mimi Chevillon is currently 688km through her cross-France adventure and Graziella Varette is just over half way, at 541k.

UK ‘virtual race’ roundup

At the time of writing the British Milers Club 3k Time Trial was waiting for final submissions but had Morpeth’s Joe Armstrong leading in 8:18.00 followed by U20s Kian Davis (Preston) and Joe Ewing (Edinburgh) tying for second in 8:19.00.

In the women’s race Lauren Cooper (Parc Bryn Bach) and U20 Megan Keith (Inverness) were neck and neck up front in 9:20.00 with Aly Dixon (W40, Sunderland Strollers) chasing them in 9:38.00.

 

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A great start to day one of the #bmc3k @crossers7 at 8:34 held a one second advantage over Chris Thomas (8:35) with Paul Miles next (9:05) . @amiebagnall94 leads the women’s rankings with 10:18. Great performances in the age groups led by U17 @charlie_harding17 with 9:22. For full report see @athletics.weekly . . #runforgood #mindcharityuk #bannistermile #bmc1k

A post shared by British Milers Club.com (@britishmilersclub) on Jun 18, 2020 at 3:36pm PDT

The scottishathletics Hill Challenge has been making the most of the home-land’s terrain with racers asked to climb as many vertical metres as possible within 30 mins or 15 mins for the youngsters. The rules state: “runners use a slope, hill or steps in their local area and record total vertical ascent.

The challenge can be completed like hill reps or as a hilly run, planning the run to have as much vertical ascent as possible in your local area.” Submissions close on Monday but James Gordon, an U13 from Pitreavie is currently high above the rest for the 15 minute results, with 120 vertical metres climbed.

Sophie McGinty (Greenock Glenpark) is currently second overall with her 117metres. Desside’s Robbie Simpson stands atop 590 metres worth of elevation and the gents leaderboard for 30 minutes of reps while previous Hill Champs title holder Scout Adkin of Moorfoot leads the ladies with 434 metres.

Martelletti & Davies lead The British Masters Virtual 5km Relays

The British Masters Virtual 5k Relays are also in progress at the time of writing. For individual performances it might be hard to beat the 14:41 set by current 1st place holder Paul Martelletti (VP&TH). He’s also top of the age grade rankings at the moment and leading the podium ahead of Chris Livesy (14:45, Salford Harriers) and Andy Coley-Maud (14:47, Clapham Chasers).

Springfield’s Liz Davies is currently strides ahead of any female competition with her blistering 16:54. Elizabeth Renondeau (Vale Royal) is closest behind with 17:22 and Alexa Joel (Billericay) currently sits in third place with 17:23.

At the more gentle and instagram-friendly end of things, the Midsummer Run Europe took place yesterday. Participants apparently treated to an online comrades-lite moment with a “motivational introduction and starting pistol” as the sun started to rise for the first time in Europe that day (in Oslo 4:43am).

Then, they had to wait until the sun started to rise in their own location before setting off on their 5, 7.5 or 10k run. Over 5k, the UK winners were Sarah Moyles of Lonely Goat Running Club, 26:24, 19th) and Nick Carey for UKNetRunner (21:38, 10th).

Nicola (6th in 39:34) and Kristian Sinclair (18th in 38:50) of Lliswerry Runners did their family proud, earning bragging rights for being top for their country over 7.5k. 10k belonged to Ameleie Karlsson of Tunbridge Wells Harriers (45:44, 6th) and Sean Crawford (44:59, 58th).

Want to run faster? For just £30 per month athletes are provided with a Final Surge plan for each day of the week, coaching advice from Robbie Britton and Tom Craggs, as well as access to the unique Fast Running Performance community. If you would like more information on joining the project, click here. 

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Will Cockerell, marathon runner, sportswriter and author of ’50 greatest marathon races of all time’ took the time to visit Andi Rivett in Rye, East Sussex and below is his analysis of the meeting and the record set in 2002.

I travelled to Rye, East Sussex on September 27, 2018, to meet with Andi Rivett. The aim was to discuss his John O’Groats to Land’s End record and gain some insight into this amazing feat. Due to the eye-watering quality of the record, and the length of time it has stood, it has some scepticism in the ultra community, although Rivett is unaware of this.

The shipbuilder was welcoming and clearly very fond of running. However, the paradox is that for someone who holds an endurance record of such splendour, his attitude to times, racing and statistics is ambivalent.

The run is a significant feat due to its iconic and challenging nature and is similar in appeal to, say, the Channel swim or the US Transcend [The 3,100 mile run from one side of the USA to the other]. Rivett appears on websites nestled alongside Usain Bolt, Paula Radcliffe and Roger Bannister which list the greatest running feats of all time, so has his name in the sport’s folklore.

Background

Rivett began running as a seven year-old in West Yorkshire due to his asthma and found it relieved the symptoms. There was a solid but unimpressive running career in school. There was a story that the people he beat in cross country would get detention, so he enjoyed the feeling that gave. This though does though give the impression he was lowly rated by teachers.

After school, he went into the boat building business, where he remains today, aged 54. He was 38 year-old at the time of his the JOGLE run. Although his asthma got better after school, he was now in a very dusty business and found that going for a run would clear the lungs.

Personal bests

I asked Rivett about his best times, and although personal bests over shorter distances aren’t everything for an ultra runner, they still tell a tale, and runners generally know their PBs.

He struggles to provide his best times with any certainty, and always has to stop and reflect, which is unusual for a runner, given the enormous effort we go through to achieving them.

But this is what he thinks:
1500m: 4:09.
He then said he went “Sub nine for the chase” – which I challenged him on, and he agrees he must be mistaken on his steeplechase mark, but is sure he went sub nine minutes for the 3k flat. Big difference.

5k: doesn’t know.
10k: 31.50.
Half marathon: 70.30 at the Great North Run.
The marathon was “never important, never chased times” but he points to a 2:48 at Stratford.

The record books

His Power of 10, the database for all running times in the UK, denotes just two performances in his entire 36 year senior running career.

By way of comparison, marathon and ultra runner Chris Finill of similar age has 261 races denoted, I have 356 (10 years younger), JOGLE female record holder Mimi Anderson has 14, of which 9 are ultra runs, and Dan Lawson who recently had an attempt at the JOGLE record, has 22 performances of which 14 are ultras.

AR’s two denoted performances are both in 2004 and are a 34:32 10k at Wakefield and 75:37 at Blackpool. Both solid performances for a 40 year-old, but only that. They placed him 147th and 69th M40 for that year, and his 10k was the 1,173 best in the UK.

24hr pedigree

The Yorkshireman attempted to run the 24hour track run three times, but found big difficulties in it. He failed to finish twice, and the first attempt was 125 miles.

It is worth noting Rivett set the Guinness World records for 100 miles and 24 hours on a treadmill, but doesn’t know what he ran, and they were very short-lived.

He gave all three of his Guinness certificates to the White Horse pub seven miles away in Newenden, who have taken them down, and now they can’t find them, so the distance of the treadmill run is lost.

Rivett did the Marathon des Sables in 1998 and says he placed 19th and second British athlete, although I have not seen the verification.

His first attempt at JOGLE was 18 months earlier, but he had shin splints, which orthotics cured.

Upon searching there are further records, like several 34 minute 10k efforts.

AR’s JOGLE record

He drove up to John O’Groats two days before he began and in the support motorhome was his physio Penny, (he doesn’t know her surname), her partner, and their family (a toddler and a newborn). I believe there were one or two other supporters, who would be on bikes around 50% of the time, names not supplied and perhaps not known.

To verify the run, lots of photos were taken of Rivett by his supporters throughout the run and sent to Guinness, and when they passed a policeman they would ask him to sign a form saying that they had seen him running by.

The run started at 6am on the first day, but midnight all the others. Initially, when asked how much he was doing a day, he said 18 hours, but I clarified to mean distance, to which he replied 90 miles. It’s very unclear what the distance was exactly and the picture denoted at the finish line says it’s 874 miles. So he would actually have had to run 96 miles a day.

Conditions

The run took place in very good weather, except for terrible conditions on the last one and a half days, which didn’t affect him. No injuries, but he felt awful on the third day, which he expects meant that he had to run for 20 hours, not 18. He bounced back well thereafter and never slowed down on the run, or hit further trouble.

The trick he says is all psychological and to break the run down into 10k segments. Never wait till you get hungry before eating. He had physio and acupuncture in the evenings.

He had one ‘injury’ when someone stepped out in front of him, he landed heavily, which triggered a blister on his instep. Both feet turned “black”, but neither that, nor the blister, affected his running.

The intention was to give himself a one day buffer on Richard Brown’s record, on the assumption that he would slow down, but he never did.

Analysis

I enjoyed meeting Rivett and liked him as a person. I want to believe that his record is genuine, but I have grave doubts.

Photo: Will Cockerell meets Andi Rivett

These are my issues with the mark:
– His lack of clarity or verification of his PB’s is frustrating.
– To say he went sub nine for the steeplechase, which has one in the mix in the early stages of an Olympic heat, is very odd.
– Track and road runners are notorious for knowing precisely what they’ve done, especially their best results.
– He has to think hard about any PB and it’s usually more of a ‘stab’.
– The difference between the 31 minute 10k mentioned and a 34 minute we have record of is huge.
– The 70:30 for the GNR is good [but not verified]
– The 2:48 marathon is an awful conversion for a 31min 10k & 70 min half man.

Converting to longer distances

It’s easily the worst conversion rate of a half marathon to the full 26.2 miles I’ve ever seen. Rivett says he never really went after the marathon etc. but he also says that his approach to life is to do the absolute best at anything he tries. He either hasn’t tried at the marathon distance or really struggles at it.

His 132 mile best for the 24 hour track run is again poor for his pedigree. With the other two attempts being DNFs (Did not finish), the event has found him out. 132 miles is not a good conversion for a 2:48 marathoner and could be achieved by a good 24hr runner with well over a three hour marathon PB.

He would not be winning the ladies race in a small field. His distance is 57 miles off the world record. A huge amount considering he holds one of the dominant ultra-running records in history, which is comparably stronger than Yiannis Kouros’ 1000 mile mark.

The boys versus the girls

He describes women’s JOGLE record holder Mimi Anderson as a ‘fabulous’ runner, but his JOGLE time is 85 hours superior. This is a grave anomaly when one considers he is not even winning a women’s 24 hour track race. His marathon best is only 50 minutes better than Anderson’s, and the JOGLE is 32 marathons.

Thus, he should be beating her by around 26-27 hours, or a little over a day. But he’s beating her by over three and a half days.

The men’s world records in athletic fields tend to be 1.1 times quicker than the female equivalent. AR’s is 1.38 times superior to his female counterpart. This could be explained by the underdevelopment of ultra running’s records though.

World records tend to be 0-3% superior to the next mark. AR’s is 11% better than Brown’s.

Aside from the JOGLE record, Rivett has displayed an aversion to racing in the public eye. Hence his name is all but absent from Google or the Power of 10. For such a dedicated and driven runner, this is almost unprecedented.

AR’s JOGLE record does not tally with American Transcon record-holder Pete Kostelnick whatsoever.

Kostelnicks’ Transcon, when converted to JOGLE by a pace calculator, gives him 10 days and 8 hours. His US crossing time of 42 days in 2016 was deemed outstanding, often running at sub 10 minute miling. On the flip side, AR’s Jogle record is worth 36 days for the Transcon or 84 miles per day. 12 miles a day superior to Kostelnick’s 72.

The verification process

It’s odd that Rivett is only able to provide a single name, Penny, who he’s not in touch with, for his entire support staff. Her family, of a toddler and newborn, are of course non-witnesses.

The verification process of getting police officers to sign a sheet when he ran by them would not be accepted in this day and age. The same could be said for the photo evidence submitted. Alone these do not prove anything beyond a moment’s running.

It strikes me as very strange that he began each day’s running with a wake-up call at 11:45pm to start at midnight.

It’s such a harsh time to start the day. Most start just before dawn to align with the body’s natural rhythm and maximise daylight. It is strange to run those 36 extra hours in darkness, without witness en route.

When I asked him why the run started at midnight each day, he said he had “no idea”.

The US equivalent

Kostelnick’s time for running across Iowa is 423 miles in seven days. Rivett is covering 830-860 miles in nine. It’s a stunning differential.

Kostelnick has a distance of 163.6 miles for the 24 hour run, compared to AR’s 132.

Rivett ran nearly the same pace for his JOGLE as he did for his only completed 24 hour run. This was 99 miles per 18 hours, compared to 96 for day six at JOGLE.

Rivett says the challenge began at 6am on May fourth, but this is not noted in Guinness’s record, (which it should be). He ran 90 miles a day and (and 96 miles on the sixth day). This means the logistics of the run are over before they’ve begun.

For instance, how did he manage the 90 on day one with a 6am start? It will have taken him till midnight. But that’s when day two’s running began. The attempt has become a logistical nightmare after the very first day. It is missing six hours.

Summary

Having studied this case closely, I do not quite see how the nine day, two hour mark is possible. It may be a simple clerical error like starting on May 3rd instead of May 4th. Actually, May 4th to 13th is a 10 day spell anyhow, which is where the start time and finish for the race are vital, but not logged.

But the above analysis tells us these facts: Rivett struggled badly at both the marathon and 24 hour run; the JOGLE record in no way tallies with the runs of Kostelnick and Anderson or his 24 hour run; the witnesses are all but unnamed; his verification via photos and police signatures are of little use; and the superiority of 11% over the next best attempt is very severe.

One third of the run needlessly occurring in the dead of night is very troubling.

I have shared these observations with Guinness World records and await their response. I also contacted Rivett and asked for comment on the above analysis and his response through a Dr R Gilbert, is below.

Andi Rivetts’ response

All in all, it has been an interesting investigation, with many questions raised. The Guinness world record process, whilst met, was clearly not infallible.

Whilst there may be no hard proof that Rivett did not complete the run, there does not seem to be much proving he did either.

We’ll leave the final comments to Richard Brown, former JOGLE record holder, who has read the analysis above.

“All the other athletes who have taken the JOGLE record (myself, Don Ritchie, Mimi [Anderson], Sharon Gayter etc) have a pedigree and the evidence of many successfully completed 24 hour events,” said Brown. “How can someone with no pedigree beat a record by 11% at their first attempt and then retire back into obscurity?”

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The post Doubt cast over JOGLE record set 16 years ago appeared first on Fast Running.

UPDATE: Dan Lawson stopped on the eighth morning of his JOGLE record attempt. The athlete as already joked  “Anyone fancy LEJOG 2019?”

Dan Lawson has called day seven to an early close when it became clear that the nine days and two hour was not going to be achievable. The 24hr runner had been on schedule at the end of day six but the morning’s running was not good.

With several problems causing the inspirational runner to move slower and slower, the decision was made to introduce more sleep during the day to help keep progress moving forward.

Crew member Mick Seymour felt that “Dan was still eating and drinking really well, but the lack of sleep over the past week was catching up”. The experienced British 24hr crew member has seen Lawson in tough times in the past, but this was a new level.

Run, sleep, eat, repeat

With experienced JOGLE former record holder Richard Brown now joining the support staff the plan was changed. Now it was four to six hours of running, followed by a 45-minute nap.

The aim of a 45 min sleep is to avoid getting into deeper R.E.M. sleep patterns, but optimise rest. Past 45 minutes it takes 90 minutes to go through a full cycle and waking the athlete up during this can have a detrimental effect.

The route was changed to find flatter running and easier support positions for the crew but the pace kept slowing.

Lawson was joined by fellow British 24hr squad members Paddy Robbins and Nathan Montague. More great people form the community joining forces with their peer to attempt something truly amazing.

The extra sleeping stops were not keeping the record attempt on course and very quickly the nine day, two hour finish could be seen slipping away.

Tough decisions

After several discussions within the team and supporters elsewhere it was decided that the record wasn’t achievable. Lawson’s health was also a concern, as well as simply his enjoyment of running. For someone who loves their sport so much, pushing too hard can risk that love.

Despite the monumental efforts of wife Charlotte Jalley and crew members Mick Seymour and Richard Brown, the run was stopped for the day on the A38 before Axbridge.

The show must go on

The plan is now to have a full night’s sleep and aim to complete the run under ten days. This would still be the second fastest JOGLE of all time, with Richard Brown’s 10 day and two-hour record. Still a huge task, but an extra day might help Lawson achieve this goal.

A tired, but content Lawson today said “the people coming out to support have been wonderful. It’s been beautiful to see so many of the running community just come out and support me. I’m so thankful.

“Even now three guys are waiting in the car park in case I want to get going again. It means so much to me that people would take the time to come and help me on this adventure.”

In some way you could hear the relief in Lawson’s voice, the happy runner could run for fun again tomorrow. The growing pressure of the record was carried heavy on his shoulders.

Join the party

“It’s been great to run with so many people. I think one day we had about 20-25 different people join us. In Scotland, children were staying up late just to hand me sweets as I ran past,” recalled the athlete. “If people want to come join me in the next couple of days I will be running to Land’s End.”

So whilst there is still time, take the chance to join Dan. You can still check on Open Tracking where the runner is, but let’s allow some space to get things moving on Tuesday morning first.

The plan may have changed but the people at www.sportsinjuryfix.com were still helping each day to find physios to help the JOGLE adventure. If you need to find a sports specialist in your local area then Dan can highly recommend them.

A personal note

As a 24hr runner and friend of Dan. it has been a joy following his progress this week. His attempt on the record has been nothing short of extraordinary. Every effort has been given to see if this was possible.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been inspired by Dan’s running. As well as Dan, his crew of Charlotte and Mick have also been brilliant and I know they have worked their socks off to help make Dan’s dream a reality.

Fast Running will still follow Dan to the end of the road, but even after the adventure ends this time, it does not feel like the end of the journey.

RELATED: Dan Lawson 450 miles into JOGLE record attempt

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The post JOGLE record no longer possible, Lawson tries to continue appeared first on Fast Running.

After averaging 90 miles per day the runner is still going strong. But each evening it becomes a harder struggle to keep going late into the night to the day’s finish.

After calls for help on social media the running community is coming out to help Lawson. Anyone who can share even just a few miles of the record attempt is a huge help to the 24hr runner.

Physios to the rescue

After seeing the record attempt on Fast Running, Sports Injury Fix thought they could help with the record attempt and have been using their extensive network of local physiotherapists, sports masseuses and sports professionals to get someone to meet Dan at the end of each day.

Malcolm Sloan, the man behind the website, said that “what Dan is doing is simply awe inspiring. We wanted to help in anyway we could and our network of sports professionals is coming together to support this record run.” The website was set up to help runners find quality sports therapists in their local area and is doing the job for Dan.

Last night (17 August) Rob Mather stayed up way past bedtime to help the tired long distance athlete when they reached Leyton. It was dark and raining but Mather was on hand to provide vital assistance to Lawson.

Tonight Heather Smith will travel from Oswestry to Church Stretton to help and in Avonmouth Bryony Lynes will be there to help Lawson on his adventure. On to Monday in Okehampton and John Stangroom will be there to help keep Dan moving. Thanks to everyone helping out!

The power of the community

The running community across the country is showing just how great it can be by coming out to join the team for a few miles.

Support crew member Mick Seymour mentioned that “Dan’s been finding the evenings tough. Every day he jumps out of the van at 6am raring to go, but as the day goes on it gets tougher. Last night around Lancaster we were worried but then Dan came round the corner with two other runners.

“It was like he was a new runner. He was smiling, joking and moving so well. The difference some company can make to the record attempt is huge and we’re urging anyone who can get out to share some miles with Dan this weekend to please do so.”

If you or anyone you know can join the party then get on it. It will really make a huge difference to this historic record attempt.

You can track Lawson’s live location here on Open Tracking.

Make some noise

As the run crosses 500 miles you would imagine that more and more media outlets would start covering the attempt. Yet in recent years fraudulent claims at the record have burned those who reported and it is just another example of the harm these liars cause that Lawson is not getting the UK wide coverage he deserves. Fast Running will continue to blow the horn for this brilliant athlete and you should too.

We’re watching one of the greatest feats of endurance in recent years unfold. The run is spanning the length of the country and it is being done at a phenomenal pace. This isn’t just a multiple marathon challenge where everything is done at a comfortable pace, this is ultra running at it’s toughest.

Averaging 90 miles a day for nine days is the goal. Lawson has already finished five days of this huge asking and with everyone’s help he can break this record.

To top it all off the ReRun clothing athlete is running every step in second hand clothing. There’s not been any need for fancy, brand new kit to get the south coast athlete moving each day.

RELATED: Dan Lawson attempts 811 mile JOGLE FKT

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Dan Lawson runs 450 miles in five days in JOGLE run and still going appeared first on Fast Running.

The former European 24hr champion started his John O’Groats to Lands End (the JOGLE) attempt from the northern tip of Scotland on Monday (August 13) aiming to break Andi Rivett’s record of nine days and two hours. The record has stood since May 2002.

Why?

“Why not?” said the Great Britain athlete. “I’ve thought about giving it a go for a while now and it just unfold that this year there was time to really give it a crack.”

“I’ve been inspired by Richard Brown [former JOGLE record holder] and his stories of the record run. It’s an iconic British ultra run and something I’ve always dreamed about trying.”

The history

Richard Brown, still the British 48hr record holder, held the record twice. Famously losing the record to Don Ritchie one year Brown send a congratulatory letter telling Ritchie “congratulations on your record, enjoy it until I get it back”.

Long legged Brown is a fantastic character and is a driving factor behind a strong British 24hr running scene currently. As team manager he inspired the likes of Lawson into the 24hr format and his support over the years for British ultra running has been phenomenal. The Dorset based walker/runner will be joining the JOGLE attempt for the second half.

Having run and walked the route in 10 days, 2 hours and 25 minutes, Brown will be able to provide advice from extremely high quality experience.

Record attempts

Several have attempted the JOGLE record in recent years, but mostly hugely underestimating the task and the record. One even saw a runner seemingly travel in a van, another resorted to using a bike.

Lawson is one of only a few runners that might legitimately have a chance of breaking the record. His pedigree includes multiple world class performances over the ultra distances. These include a European 24hr Championship, a course record at the 400km Ultra Gobi desert race and under 24 hours for the historic Spartathlon.

“Dan is probably the UK runner with the best chance of breaking such a stout record,” said Fast 10 runner James Stewart. “It’s an itch I personally have too so I’m watching Dan’s progress furiously each day. Luck will play a part but f anyone can challenge this FKT it’s Dan.”

The highlights?

When asking the runner what he was most looking forward to one might expect him to mention the finish, but “the journey is what drives me. It’s going to be so wonderful to really get to see the whole of the island and watch landscapes slowly change.”

“The crew is everything too. I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with them and I wouldn’t be able to attempt such a record without their help.”

Lawson will be assisted by his wife Charlotte Jalley, former record holder Richard Brown, Great Britain crew chief Michael Seymour and a whole host of experienced and friendly faces along the way.

The runner’s biggest fear? “My biggest fear is letting the crew down. They give so much time and energy so I want to give it my best effort in return.”

Rerun clothing

Also worth mentioning is that Lawson will be running the whole attempt in second hand, or pre-loved, clothing. The social enterprise ReRun Clothing  was set up by Jalley and Lawson as they saw a huge amount of waste within the running industry.

The biggest  number of donations the team have seen are old race t-shirts. Everyone reading this probably has a handful sat in their cupboard too. Their aim is to raise awareness of the wastefulness within the running industry and try reduce this.

Tracking

Anyone who’s a fan of dot watching (it’s more addictive than you think) can follow the record attempt via Open Tracking here.

Lawson is currently approaching Inverness on day two of his epic run, having covered around 90 miles on the first day.

The team is also aiming to update to Strava during the run and day one can be found here.

Fast Running will attempt to bring regular updates of the runner’s progress across the country and insights from the crew during the nine day record attempt.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patreon. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Dan Lawson aims to break 874 mile JOGLE record appeared first on Fast Running.