Race Context:
The event was no ordinary run — a 100-mile (160 km) ultramarathon across the Brecon Beacons, in terrain so tough it’s used to train the SAS. The course was marked by checkpoints at regular intervals, some offering the comfort of seeing your support crew, others in remote spots where you’re completely on your own. Over steep climbs, rough descents, and unpredictable weather, the challenge would test not only physical endurance but also mental resilience — a battle of head and heart as much as legs and lungs.
July 26th 2025, the day started with a 3AM alarm. Although my sleep was not deep or difficult to wake from, I woke up feeling wired, strangely unnerved. Calm, confident, and excited to get going. I had been building for this day for months. I signed up in December, a night out with my family where, after one too many, I decided this would be a good idea.
Since then, early mornings, late nights, double sessions and almost 2000 miles of training — it was time for my first 100-mile race (160km). I felt well prepared, but not as much as I would have liked. Sometimes life gets in the way and that’s okay. Over the last 8 months, I’ve been very pleased with how I managed to balance life and training — something that’s escaped me so often in the past.
Into the car with my amazing team of support — my mam, girlfriend and sister. Forty mere minutes, the journey to Abergavenny where I was able to relax, eat my breakfast, and prepare mentally for what was to come. When we arrived I registered, and then I just had to wait for an hour until the start of the race. This was horrible. The nerves started creeping in. Could I do this? Can I navigate well enough? Can I go this long without sleep? I pushed these away knowing that once I started I would be fine. A few nervous toilet trips and the start rolled around.
Above, start line in Abergavenny Castle, 5am. Below left. Start time, Edison’s head poking out and smiling. 6am, 102 miles to go!
I said goodbye to my team and headed to the start line. As I stood there, I felt content that I had done everything I had wanted to in the buildup, now it was time to enjoy myself and push myself to my absolute limit. The start came around and suddenly I was off , a moment I have imagined for 8 months and now I was living it.
The start of the race was an absolute dream, everything was going to plan. I was well ahead of schedule moving well, eating brilliantly and mentally feeling confident and utterly positive. Seeing my 3 girls at every checkpoint was like a full restart, their positive energy and little surprises filling my heart with gratitude and happiness. I felt truly lucky that these 3 women would choose to spend their hard earned weekend, following me around and making sure I had everything I needed.
As I hit the 60k mark it felt nice to know I had under 100k to go – a distance I know I can do. Alas 60k was already my longest run for over a year. The first thought of what happens now crept in. But I felt good, I was still happy, more alone now than I was at the start but that was fine. I sang along to myself and was still moving at a good pace. 8 hours in, 2 ahead of schedule. At the next checkpoint, I was greeted like a celebrity with bells and cheers, a truly surreal feeling. And, a wonderful surprise, to add to my team my Grandmother had driven to Bwlch as a surprise guest. I smashed a few cakes, told everyone I was still feeling great and carried on. Eager to make the most of the great rhythm I was in, I was wise enough to know it wouldn’t last.
(left, Checkpoint 4 Bwlch, Edison, Rebecca and Kathy. We had, bells, flags, funny ears, foodie treats. Granny Griffiths was there as a ‘surprise guest’ to offer encouragement and support. As far as possible we had a party atmosphere to celebrate 37miles.)
Two and a half hours passed and I reached the next checkpoint still moving well and I was at the bottom of Pen y Fan. In my build up to the race all I kept telling myself was once I got past the Pen y Fan section it’ll be easy. (How wrong I was!)
I sat down for ten minutes, changed some clothes and started the ascent up Fan y Big and then up to Pen y Fan. I sumitted Pen Y Fan and my first problem arose. My quads and knees were starting to feel uncomfortable especially on descents. But I was waiting for this, I was halfway through 50 miles and 3500m of elevation covered.
They’re obviously going to hurt, I told myself. As I headed down Pen y Fan eager to get down and see my crew I started to stitch for the first time. This slowed me down and I was aware my stomach may be starting to feel rather uncomfortable…
(Right, Checkpoint 5, Pen-y-Fan next. A chance to wash feet, change socks and eat. Support crew made up a cheer, rang bells and generally tried to be as bouyant and uplifting as possible. Granny Griffiths still with us. 4.30pm, 56 miles to go).