Our very own Lizzie Gatherer — better known for chewing through ultras and backyard races — swapped the long haul for something a little different recently: a 5 mile trail race!
Lizzie headed up to the Protein Rebel Running Festival at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre in Tarporley, Cheshire. As the name suggests, it’s more than just a race — alongside the timed 5 mile cross-country route through woodland and open fields, there was a 2km fun run, a recovery zone with massage and coffee, trade stands, and a speaker panel.
And by “speaker panel,” we mean Lizzie was on it. She joined a line-up of four to talk all things ultra, backyard, nutrition and training — sharing the stage with some seriously experienced names from the sport.
The running itself went rather well, too. Lizzie crossed the line in joint second alongside her buddy Sarah Page, who she’s quick to credit for getting her round:
“Something a bit different for me today… a 5 mile race! I somehow got joint second with my buddy Sarah Page (really though, she just dragged me round and kept me chatting to distract me). Afterwards I was on a panel of four speakers to talk about all things ultra, backyard, nutrition and training. I can honestly say, I’m more exhausted from doing that than I am from an ultra! Fantastic goody bag too!”
So there you have it — turns out 5 miles and a microphone can take more out of you than a 100-miler. Who knew?
Huge well done to Lizzie from everyone at Hart Road Runners. Whether it’s five miles or fifty, you do us proud!
