British ultra runner Mark Darbyshire set a new course record at Ultra-Tail Snowdonia 2024 with an astonishing performance.
Exceeding even his own expectations, Darbyshire completed the 100-mile run in 23:41:13 more than an hour and a half clear of fellow GB runner Andy Berry (25.18.51).
Darbyshire led the UTS 100m race from early on, coming out of night one in first place, followed by Berry and Michael Dunstan. They were to remain in that order until crossing the finish line some hours later.
“I was trying to play this year, telling myself it’s my day with swings and roundabouts,” said Darbyshire afterwards.
“I basically just thought I’d get a bit slower this year than I did last year, showing a little bit of patience. And I did manage to.”
Mark also holds the record for the Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon (100m), which he completed in 18:51:54 back in January.
Wade enjoys journey as Townsend claims win
Last year’s 100m winner, Josh Wade, who completed the race in 23:51:31 in 2023, returned to the iconic Snowdonia mountains for his 5th UTS race, this time taking on the 50k distance.
There would be no repeat victory though as Josh finished 4th after battling it out against GB’s Brennan Townsend (1st, 06.01.52) and Italy’s Michele Meridio (2nd, 06.08.02).
Wade later shared on his Instagram: ‘I love this stuff. Even when things don’t go smoothly, it’s all about the journey.’
ANOTHER course record falls in 100k
Darbyshire wasn’t the only male athlete to set a course record this year, as Italy’s Daniel Jung and Phillip Ausserhofer crossed the finish line together as they set a new course record in the 100k with a time of 12:41:20. Gautier Bonnecarrere came in 15 minutes later in a time of 12:55:57.
Unfortunately for Christian Meier, the pro cyclist turned ultra runner who had surprised everyone with his win at Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc TDS in 2023, things didn’t quite go to plan as he placed 7th in a time of 15.02.49.
He later revealed on Instagram: “What do you do when things don’t go to plan?
“It was tough at first to grapple with the emotions that after all the work in the last months that on the day of your first goal race the body wasn’t responding.
“Frustration, doubts, the mental spiral started but after a “little get it together” personal pep talk I was able to switch to a mindset of let’s troubleshoot and take care of yourself as best you can, I was dedicated to getting over the finish line and did what I could to maximise my chances.
“We went deep into the well to get across that line but yesterday was a great example of you win or you learn.”
Ultra-Trail Snowdonia 2024 Men’s Results
25k Results
1 James TIlley, GB 02:10:59
2 Tom Joly, GB 02:16:54
3 Jack Harris, NZ 02:19:34
50k Results
1 Brennan Townsend, GB 06:01:52
2 Michele Meridio, IT 06:08:02
3 Harry Jones, GB 06:11:36
100k Results
1 Daniel Jung, IT 12:41:20
1 Philipp Ausserhofer, IT 12:41:20
3 Gautier Bonnecarrere, FR 12:55:57
100m Results
Mark Darbyshire, GB 23:41:13
Andy Berry, GB 25:18:51
Michael Dunstan, AU 25:45:24
