Race date: Saturday 11^th April 2026
Race report by Megan Ohri

In April last year I got carried away and decided it would be great idea to register for an ultra marathon. I was persuaded to do this by my Personal Trainer, Liz Poxon, owner of local women’s gym Reyt Strong Studio. In all, about 12 women from Reyt Strong Studio signed up, with 6 Striders among the group.

The ultra marathon in question was the 50km SheUltra in Pwllheli, North Wales. A women only event, raising money and awareness for female cancer charities. The event appealed due to its inclusive approach, no cut off times, walking and running/walking all acceptable and welcome approaches to tackling the multi terrain course.

Prior to this, the longest I had ever run is The Round Sheffield Run, which I did not enjoy…either time. In truth I hadn’t been doing much running at all at that point of registering. By October I had started to get back to fairly regular running but training switched up a gear thanks to a training plan by fellow Strider and running coach, Cara Hanson, who helped me fit useful runs around family life (and accommodated a side quest of getting me to The Parkrun Cup Final!).

The route was announced the week before Race Day, and it came as a bit of a shock to learn that it was actually 55km not 50km! This was due to bad conditions on the paths forcing a change in route from previous years.

A supposedly reassuring email sent two days ahead of Race Day informed us not to worry about the 40mph head winds(!) as there would be plenty of staff around for support and to pack some waterproof trousers.

Race Day soon arrived and it became apparent that the race was going ahead despite the weather.

It was an early start to get from Abersoch to Pwllheli for the 7am start. Following an emotional minutes silence for those we’ve lost to Cancer in the last 12 months, we almost accidentally wandered across the start line as it started to hail (the first of four hail storms).

The course took us along the beach, which while beautiful was incredibly tough. Remember the 40mph winds mentioned in the email? They came at us head on as we trudged across the sand.

We eventually turned off the sand on the winding mountain pass, some of us queuing on a narrow cliff edge for over half an hour to get through the kissing gate. Cue Hail Storm number two, which stung our faces and legs as it hit us on the exposed cliff edge.

After another queue to scramble down a steep cliff path, things started to open up a bit. We ran through Abersoch town, with a few supporters braving the weather to cheer us on.

At 13 miles we hit the much anticipated Food Station in a barn. In the queue a lady came round offering sausages and pigs in blankets – I hadn’t considered eating roast potatoes mid Ultra until that point! Slices of watermelon were devoured and we started our ascent up the bigger hills.

At about mile 19 a marshal gave a welcome ‘Go on Striders’ cheer. We thanked her and continued, then realised she couldn’t have been talking to us, as our Striders tops were well hidden under our waterproof jackets…the lady behind me confirmed that the local running club were also Striders. It was this Welsh Strider who informed me that the route had been remapped again because of the bad weather and was now back to just over 50km. Very good news at that point. She also informed me that our very own Kate Waddicor has been made an Honorary Member of their club after meeting them at a recce earlier in the year.

A memorable moment between this point and the mile 20 Food Station was attempting to run down hill against a wind so strong you felt you could lean against it and it would hold you up…

Once we made it back down the hills we enjoyed the stretch of beach with the wind behind us this time, propelling us towards the Finish Line. We celebrated reaching 26.2 miles (my first ever marathon) with delicious sticky cream eggs on the beach.

We finished the race with smiles (or were they grimaces?) on our faces and sand in our ears, and having raised over £3,000 for 3 local projects supporting women in Sheffield (massive thanks to all the Striders who sponsored us).

Overall, I’d describe this event as beautiful but brutal. The organisation was, let’s say, relaxed. I never imagined I could run (and walk) such a distance, I’m proud of that, won’t be doing it again in a hurry!

First Finishers Sanne and Tinka Vinks in an impressive 4:18:11!

Strider Kate Waddicor came first in her age category with a time of 08:03