2022's Ham & Lyme was quite a day - the 50k race was extremely competitive with the top 5 all finishing within minutes of each other; it could have been anyone's win. Matthew Clist took the victory in the end with Joel Seward and Matt Selway really close behind. Gill Pearson ran the second fastest time by a woman on the course. The 100k saw a similar pattern to last year with a runner taking the lead early on and Holly Stables being in close pursuit. The outcome was slightly different this time as Dean Bennett held on for the win and the second sub 10 hour time in the race's history. Holly wasn't far behind in 2nd place and she stopped for photos with fans out on the course (see picture.) Jody Bovey took 3rd place with another impressive run and was still smiling at the end!
This was a first ultra for many and meant a lot to a number of runners - the second Ham & Lyme tattoo is imminent, and there was also a proposal at the finish line (she said yes!) The overall feeling was that the day was very much enjoyed by practically everyone who took part and this really has become quite a popular race.
SOME FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS YEARS IS AS FOLLOWS: -
"Thanks to everyone for making this another great day! The atmosphere at Albion races is always the best. Meeting all the 50k runners was a real special twist to this race, absolutely loved it. Makes all the torture more than worth it!"
"Thank you so much for putting on an awesome event. This was my first ultra and I absolutely loved it. It was well marked and a great route. I honestly can’t thank you enough for the experience I had for my first ultra. I don’t think I will ever forget yesterday"
"What an amazing initiation into the world of ultra running I had yesterday at the Albion Running H&L 50km! Great course, friendly participants, fab volunteers at aid stations & marshalling points and the downhill into Lyme with all the support from the people was the best finish you could ask for. Well done everyone especially those on the 100k - just awesome"
The Ham & Lyme races take in the stunning Liberty Trail, which runs from Ham Hill Country Park in Somerset to Lyme Regis in Dorset, taking in some fabulous locations along the way, including the enchanting Wayford Woods, the breathtaking panoramas from Lambert's Castle (if the mist stays away!) and a number of pretty villages, before descending to wonderful Lyme Regis with its famous Cobb
This is a cracking route; really showcases rural Somerset/Dorset at their best, and although the route is hilly in places and the ground occasionally uneven you will be running through such quaint landscapes that it won't matter so much! The route is based on one taken by six villagers who went to join the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685, so you will literally be running through history
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE 50k STARTS AT HAM HILL COUNTRY PARK, THE 100k STARTS IN LYME REGIS
Cut-off times - 7.5 hours for 50k, 15.5 hours for 100k (please note, cut-off times are a guide and we will normally allow a little leeway on the shorter race but have to be strict on the 100k cut-off because of licensing/volunteers etc.)
2020 PRICES: -
100k - £60
50k - £35
ENTRIES AVAILABLE VIA OUR ONLINE STORE. ENTRIES ONLY REFUNDABLE IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT THE RACE HAS TO BE CANCELLED, BUT IF YOU ARE NO LONGER WISHING TO TAKE PART OR ARE UNABLE TO THEN IF THE RACE IS FULL WE WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO FIND SOMEONE TO TAKE YOUR PLACE, AND THEIR ENTRY FEE WILL GO TO YOU. IF THE RACE HAS NOT REACHED CAPACITY THEN YOU ARE WELCOME TO TRANSFER YOUR PLACE TO SOMEBODY ELSE AS LONG AS YOU MAKE US FULLY AWARE BEFORE THE DAY.
COURSE RECORDS: -
50k - Chris Southern - 4:07:41 (2018)
100k - Spencer Bun - 9:55:18 (2018)
FASTEST FEMALES: -
50k - Helen Wright - 4:59:37 (2017)
100k - Holly Rush - 10:14:10 (2021)
WHAT DO YOU GET?: -
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Medal for all finishers
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Aid Stations - 3 fully stocked aid stations during 50k (plus one at finish) with a good range of the usual food you might expect at an ultra race along with water, 6 fully stocked aid stations during 100k. A couple of additional stations with water plus a very small amount of food
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Marshalls for the point at which a busy road is to be crossed
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Well marked course
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Medical cover
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Trophies for first man and first woman
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Coach transport back to the start for those doing 50k who require it
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A race on a stunning trail that passes by or through a number of popular locations
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Free car parking at start (limited - please arrange lift-sharing or to get dropped off and picked up where possible; we can help with this if necessary)
