Written by Steve Worrallo - http://www.ultrarunningltd.co.uk

Well, with two weeks to go to the start of the GMU 2013, we were getting a little concerned with the course conditions and accessibility. The Frome Valley river was knee high in water and the Pegwell Brake footbridge over the M5 still hadn’t been re-opened. It was looking like a challenging year indeed.

But with a break in the wet weather and some cold days to firm up the ground, March 2^nd turned out to be almost perfect race conditions.

With entry numbers exceeding one hundred, the Green Man Ultra was proving a popular challenge and it was very pleasing to see so many familiar faces.

Last year’s winner, Darryl Carter, had been suffering from some injury issues leading up to the race, but like the weather, race day saw him in fine form and keen to get underway. Unfortunately last year’s ladies champion, Liz Wiggins, wasn’t available for the race, so the ladies title would be heading towards someone new.

As last year, first arrival at CP1 was Darryl Carter, and that really set the tone for the whole race, as each CP time extended Darryl’s lead. It was looking like a new course record was there for the taking.

And so it was, as Darryl completed the race in a new record time of 6 hours 35 minutes, knocking a staggering 43 minutes of his previous record.

Still with some incredibly fast times, we had the next 8 finishers arriving home with only 15 minutes between them all.

Zoltan Lesi was second with a time of 7 hours 48 minutes, he also won the Individual Canicross Title, knocking nearly 2 hours off the previous Canicross record.

Lee Parker came in third with a time of 7 hours 52 minutes, with Alex Foster fourth in 7 hours 54 minutes, beating his 2012 time by nearly 30 minutes.

Simon Baker and Mark Lowten, in 5^th & 6^th , with just a minute between their times.

In 7^th and taking the Ladies Title with a new course record of 8 hours 3 minutes was Lynette Porter. Joining Lynette in joint 7^th was Keith James & Mark Gregory.

Many more great personal achievements and improvements on the 2012 results but a mention must go to Stephen O’Callaghan who finished his race in 9 hours 27 minutes, shaving an epic 90 minutes off his last year’s race time.

Mixed Up Mutts V2 retained their Canicross Relay title, again with a much improved time.

Relay Team Bristol OG’s became the first Relay Team champions to conquer the Green Man in a time of 9 hours 8 minutes.

And the Warmley Wobblers secured the Team tilte where each member completes the full course distance, in an accumulative time of 29 hours 15 minutes.

Thanks to all of our sponsors and suppliers, Kandoo Printing, Summit Fever Photography, 9Bar, GU Energy, Red Bull, Moti Sports.

Thanks to all the CP locations for allowing us to use their premises, and especially or own unsung heroes – the Cp Staff who did a really great job.

And thanks to the Redwood Hotel and Country Club – the facilities, hot showers, hot food, etc, etc, were again superb and appreciated by all.

The Green Man Ultra will return on March 1^st 2014 with a twist – same route but maybe anti-clockwise, you will have to wait and see.

Earlier bird discount for 2014 bookings will go online very shortly, (they will be non refundable and non transferable), and will be available to all previous competitors until the end of March. So you have some four weeks to grab a bargain!