A New & Meaningful FKT + Masters Skyrunning World Championships Results: This Week's Trail Tally

Cornish coast during Elsey Whyman Davis’ Circuit of Cornwall © Will Harper-Penrose on Elsey’s Instagram

Chasing Trails: Week 41

What an amazing week of dot watching we’ve just had, following Elsey Whyman-Davis as she ran the circumference of Cornwall to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research! This week, we’re reporting on her fantastic effort, saying “well done” to the UK Team who tackled Masters Skyrunning World Championships, and revisiting the Steall Marathon from an insider’s perspective.

- Kate Parker, Director - Founder

Elsey Whyman-Davis Runs the Circumference of Cornwall

Elsey Whyman-Davis has set a fastest known time running the circumference of Cornwall, a 400-mile lap, finishing last Sunday 5th October at 1pm. She took a total of six days, eight hours, 12 minutes to run from Lands End all around the county back to Lands End again. This entailed 60-mile plus days, with a total elevation of c. 18,300 metres by the end. Brutal and inspiring at the same time, this challenge was created by Elsey to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research.

It comes after her mum was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer' s disease in 2023. Elsey said on her Instagram account: “Running has always been my anchor through hard times and this has been the hardest few years I have been through but being able to escape on to the trails has been a huge comfort so it seems fitting I use my legs to raise some money for something very close to my heart.”

Elsey’s attempt started in the sunshine, clocking 12 hours 24 minutes to run 65 miles on the first day. She followed up with 69 miles from Newquay to Bude over tough terrain, in over 14 hours. Heading from the coast onto tarmac roads and fields, she completed 67 miles cutting inland through the Tamara Way on day 3 (another 13 hours 50 minutes). Day 4 saw Elsey’s wife, Sarah, join her for almost 40 miles, as well as a stint running with her dad, Martin. She clocked just under 14 hours to cover 62 miles. 43.8 miles followed on day 5, across the Roseland Peninsula, facing inclement weather with rain, sea mist, and strong headwinds. Day 6 was the “day of the wind,” running from Falmouth to Portleven, again joined by Elsey’s wife, Sarah, as well as many friends and her sisters. Another 46.7 miles down.

Elsey completed her journey on Sunday 5th October, stating: “I have never been more broken but somehow the most whole I have felt in a long time.” She touched the post at Lands End once again, this time hand in hand with her mum. 

You can donate to Elsey’s fundraiser here. 

Elsey and her mum reaching the finish line © Elsey Davis Instagram

Team UK Medals at the Masters Skyrunning World Championships

This past weekend, the Masters Skyrunning World Championships welcomed runners to Karlovo, Bulgaria, where 75 medals were up for grabs in multiple age categories and events:

• A vertical race, 5.2 km long with 1,110 m of climbing;

• An ultra, 59 km long with 4,000 m of climbing;

• A sky race, 33 km long with 2,400 m of climbing. 

To qualify, athletes had to be aged 40 and older, selected by their country federations.

The UK team put forward runners in all events and came away with some great results, most notably Rogan Martin winning a silver medal both overall and in his age category in the ultra. Richard Bannister claimed silver in his age category in the ultra as well, while Christian Kober claimed an age category bronze in the VK.

British athletes placed in the top 15 across all age categories and races:

• Steffi Bow was 6th in the VK and 7th in the sky race;

• Bryan Morris 6th in the sky race and 7th in the VK;

• Becky Wightman 6th in the ultra;

• Cat Wain-Hobson 7th in the sky race;

• Christian Kober 10th in the sky race;

• Ady Gray 11th in the sky race;

• David Parkin 11th in the VK and 13th in the sky race;

• Edward Box 14th in the sky race and in the VK;

• Woody Anderson 15th in the sky race.

Well done to all!

The Skyrunning UK Team © Skyrunning UK Instagram

Rogan Martin on the podium of the Ultra race © Skyrunning Federation Instagram

Catching up with Stephen Reid on his Steall Marathon Experience

You’ve read about the Skyline Scotland events a couple of weeks ago and last week, we caught up with Elle Twentyman, who gave us her account of how she won the Ben Nevis Skyline. We’ve now spoken to Stephen Reid of Run with Steve YouTube channel to hear about his race. 

Steve ran the Steall Marathon, 42 km with 2,200 m of ascent, capturing his adventure and some epic scenery in his race video. Here’s what he had to say about the day:

"I ran the Steall Marathon on 20th September and it’s one of the most stunning and varied routes I’ve ever been on. Old military roads, forest trails, narrow single track, rocky scrambles, exposed ridges, muddy descents, wide open glens, sloping corries and one fun section down a steep mountain bike trail called “Blue Steel.” Yes, I did my best Derek Zoolander when I saw the sign. 

The required kit list was huge thanks to the additional cold weather kit being activated. So I was carrying Harrier Exmoor Pro waterproof  (which was amazing, 100% more breathable than the older one, my baselayer completely dried off after one downhill section), Dartmoor waterproof trousers, additional warm layer, gloves, hat, head torch, nutrition, emergency bivvi, phone, backup battery, water filter, soft flask, first aid kit, toilet kit, insulated jacket, waterproof gloves, hat, tube scarf and lightweight running trousers.

 Just about managed to squeeze it all into the 10L Harrier Kinder pack, but in the end we didn’t use half of it, as the weather thankfully wasn’t as bad as forecast. 

My favourite section was probably the last climb up Am Bodice. Steep, windy, wet, rocky and a bit of a scramble in places. The guy I overtook on the way up it, was NOT enjoying it as much as myself. He kept repeating “this is rock climbing” over and over to himself.

This was my first major mountain race since 2022, so I was aiming for completion, rather than a time. I finished in 9 hours 20 minutes, which I think put me about 200th out of 250, so I was pleased with that. Although I still HATE whoever added a final climb to the route at 24miles! Evil genius. 

I had my trusty action camera and 360 camera with me during the race and I shot drone footage all along the route in the days after. So if you want to come experience the race with me, check out the video on YouTube and see some of the Harrier kit in action."

© Stephen Reid