Steve Battles Heat, Distance and Tough Terrain at the Three Shires Way Ultra
Steve recently took on the challenging Three Shires Way Ultra, using the event as a key stepping stone in his preparation for the Lakeland 100, which takes place in just a few weeks’ time.
The race began at 8:00am in Hanslope, near Milton Keynes, and followed the Three Shires Way through the counties of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire before finishing at Grafham Water near Huntingdon. Covering 52 miles, the route may have appeared relatively straightforward on paper, with only around 600 metres of elevation gain, but the conditions on the day told a very different story.
With temperatures climbing well above what many runners would consider comfortable for ultra-distance racing, participants faced a tough battle from the very beginning. Adding to the challenge were long stretches of thick, overgrown countryside grass that significantly slowed progress and placed additional strain on tired legs.
Steve described the terrain as a genuine “quad buster”, with every step through the long grass feeling like running against resistance.
The event formed an important part of Steve’s preparation for the Lakeland 100, one of the UK’s most demanding ultramarathons. His original intention had been to race aggressively and use the event as a fitness test. Early signs were promising, and at one stage he even found himself leading the race.
Recognising the bigger goal ahead, Steve wisely chose to ease back and manage his effort. By mile nine he had settled into 12th position, a place he would remarkably hold for the remainder of the race.
One of the most difficult aspects of the day was the isolation. Outside of the aid stations, Steve spent virtually the entire race running alone. Maintaining concentration and motivation for more than 50 miles without the support of nearby runners presents a significant mental challenge, especially when combined with demanding conditions and rising temperatures.
As the miles ticked by, Steve accepted that his ambitious target of a 10-hour finish would not be achievable. Instead, the focus shifted to maintaining progress, staying safe in the heat and reaching the finish line in the strongest position possible.
After 11 hours and 46 minutes of running, Steve crossed the finish line having completed another impressive ultra-distance performance.
The race took a considerable physical toll. Constant contact with overgrown vegetation left him with severe leg rashes, while the heat contributed to symptoms of heat exhaustion. Following the race, Steve experienced chills and overwhelming fatigue, eventually heading straight to bed without even managing a meal.
Despite the difficult conditions, the race delivered an important confidence boost ahead of the final stages of Lakeland 100 preparation.
Over recent weeks, Steve has been managing acute pain in his right hip and had genuine concerns about whether he would even make the start line. Fortunately, a short period of rest and carefully managed pain relief allowed him to take on the challenge. More importantly, the injury remained manageable throughout the 52 miles and did not significantly impact his performance.
For any ultrarunner, completing a demanding event while carrying injury concerns is reassuring. For Steve, it provided valuable confirmation that his body is moving in the right direction ahead of the biggest challenge of the season.
Reflecting on the day, the biggest lesson was a simple one: there is no such thing as an easy 50-mile race. Even routes that appear straightforward on paper can become formidable tests when heat, terrain and distance combine.
Congratulations to Steve on another outstanding ultra-distance performance. We wish him the very best as he continues preparations for the Lakeland 100 and look forward to following his progress in the weeks ahead.
