2026 Races

I’ve done it twice but the last time was about 7 years ago I think, was always worth trying to get an early start for less traffic on the early sections.

Too much traffic these days on those small roads but the second half was a bit quieter I think.

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Great event… loved it… epic day.

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If we don’t get an entry, we’ll do the route, but on another weekend. I think I like the look of the route, but not the congestion at certain points, looked a bit like an obstacle course. Yes setting off early to avoid cars and not have to overtake many slower riders would be helpful (not that we’d be quick, by any means)

That was about went I did it, was it a sunny hot edition :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

Think it was 2018…

13th May 2018

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And my car is parked on the grass verge by the finish line on the GCN video (beyond the route, wife parked it there not me, she went back to Waters Edge and came back 6-7 hours later) cracking weekend.

It was pretty hot the last time I did it so could have been that year, I hit the wall big time in the last 25k and thought I was going to fall off my bike, I was absolutely crawling and about an hour slower than the previous time when the weather was horrific.

Fell asleep in the car afterwards and was woken up by the air ambulance landing about 100m away from where I parked! Not for me!

How much do they provide for their £115?

Crikey, is that how much it costs! There was about 4 aid stations last time, although they were well stocked, and a decent chunk goes to charity, or used to.

I wonder how much it costs to put on an event like that. 2500ish entrants, £115 is £287,500. I’d assume although entry fees appear high, as with a lot of races. When they get above a certain size, the logistics, rental of start/finish area, toilets, police, paramedics etc must cost quite a bit when all added up. But tbh I’ve no idea.

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I did The Fred in 2024. I got queued up early and was away in the first 10 mins. No problems with congestion, the field strings out. Last two climbs are closed to cars. There were only a dozen cars on the climbs over the whole course for me. Hapless tourists who failed to get the memo and thus found themselves crawling along.

Great event but requires a lot of training. Harder than an IM in my opinion. I walked the second to last climb. Last 10 miles were torture, I was wrung out and legs missing, despite lots of carbs. Just wasn’t trained for the gradient and repeated efforts.

2 aid stations on course. Unlimited water, white bread sarnies, bananas, crisps, tray bakes, coke etc. Water is an issue on a hot day, should you be so lucky.

I’d love to do it again.

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I have a couple of mates that are looking at the Frog Whitton. That looks like a toughie!

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Think I’ve found out how I’m going to ruin my wife’s summer holiday next year.

A low key, community organised SwimRun backyard ultra just north of Amsterdam. It’s not very ultra as it’s only 10*5km races on the hour with 5 runs (4.4km) & 5 swims (600m) . There were about 70 competitors last year, 16 managed the 10 laps & the winner averaged 32:27…..so each lap could be spicy.

(I should probably start a SwimRun thread.)

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There’s an old thread here:

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I’ve always wanted to do this event as it’s one of the most iconic audax events in the UK calendar. Decided to actually enter it, for next year and looking forward to it.

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That looks ace!

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Yep, been going a long time. Last 600 I did was 2018, so think I need to have another go. The scenery looks amazing.

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Hadn’t heard of the Frog Whitton/Frog Graham.

Interesting idea, but think the faff of needing continual car support (±in-water support) the whole way and being in-out of the wetsuit could be a drag. I imagine standing trying to put on a wet wetsuit (probably in the rain) could soon become a drag

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Yup. I passed on the opportunity! :joy:

James Ellson said it’s 93,500 tickets spread across just over 11,000 individuals, IIRC.

Yep - just getting harder and harder