Just six weeks after becoming an ultra-running world record holder, Sarah Perry has won big again – this time claiming the outright victory in one of the world’s craziest winter ultramarathons.
The Hill – staged from December 5 to December 7 – saw runners attempting to complete 56 gruelling laps up and down The Wrekin in Shropshire inside 48 hours.
From the 24 runners who set off on Friday night, Sarah was the sole finisher, completing the 160-mile race in 47 hours and 01 minute.
Her total ascent up the rocky trail 56 times was approximately 47,000ft (more than 1.5 x Mount Everest).
This latest win follows her headline-grabbing run at the Backyard Ultra World Championships in October when she set a new women’s world record of 95 laps/395 miles.
The Cockermouth-based INOV8 athlete said: “I knew that six weeks to recover and build back up was a big ask, but I’ve wanted to do The Hill for so long and this was the first time it’s been run in five years, so I just had to be on that start line.
“I’m thrilled to have finished and, quite honestly, can’t believe that it was possible for me.”
Despite the cold, wet conditions, all runners set off strongly in the unique race, staged by organisers who also host The Tunnel and The Bridge. All are extremely tough challenges aimed at experienced ultra runners who like low-key, back-to-basics fun.
Several runners retired during the first night, with more tapping out on the Saturday and Sunday. In the end, it left just Sarah and Iain Prentice on the hill, with later finishing 15 laps short of the full 56-lap distance.
Sarah said: “The last third of the race was hard. The biggest difficulty was the lack of time. Unlike in backyard ultra races, there are no scheduled breaks so I was constantly doing the calculations in my head to figure out whether I could complete it. Often there was no wiggle room.
“I chose to skip breaks and ignore things that I’d usually get sorted, like wet socks and sleep deprivation, and instead chose to keep on the hill.”
The race follows a set of strict rules that means runners are largely self-sufficient. No poles, headphones, outside assistance, crew, pacers or supporters are allowed.
Runners are only permitted to stop for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time in the base hut, situated at the foot of each lap. Each ascent took them to the 1,335ft summit.
As well as being a hugely successful ultra runner, Sarah also works as a maths teacher in adult education.
INOV8 founder Wayne Edy said: “We are incredibly proud of Sarah and her outstanding achievements in ultra running.
“She has had a real breakout year in the sport, and it is just reward for the commitment she has put into her training and the sacrifices made. Sarah is small in stature but big in grit and determination. She thoroughly deserves all this success.”
