“I would like to do this challenge to, foremost, run with a Black community on a trail named after a Black runner. I feel this is an awesome challenge and a tangible acknowledgment from us to Charlie for his contribution to trail/mountain running.

I also want to raise awareness of trail running to our community and highlight the beautiful landscape that needs to be more accessible to, and inclusive for, Black people.

I also retire in July after years of working in a male dominated field. Personally, I want to remind myself that my fitness is not diminishing!

To work as a team to achieve a run for diversity in the mountains will be a wonderful experience and, I believe, barriers can be broken down.”

— Nethliee

“I like to do new challenges and show Black people it’s OK to do different things that are out of your comfort zone.”

 — Leroy

“My aim is to transition into being a mountain runner. It means a lot to be doing this with the BTR crew and to be promoting inclusion for more Black people in the mountains and trails.”

— Deo

“I am a Black bi-racial half Scottish mountain runner. To have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps as Charlie, to traverse the same ground, and to do this with my Black Trail Runners community is a dream come true.

No-one is saying it will be easy, but we will do all we can to prepare for this epic challenge and to show members of our community that trail and mountain running is for them too. We belong here too.’”

— Sabrina

“For a while I have been interested in attempting the sub-24 hour. My plan is to attempt this in 2022, so this multi-day challenge with my fellow community members in 2021 comes at the perfect time.”

— Simbarashe

“I want to do this challenge in support of Black Trail Runners’ efforts to promote inclusivity within trail running and the outdoors. It is also a goal challenge of mine for this year and I am looking to complete other rounds in the future.”

— Zukie

T – 6 weeks to go.

Ever since going public on our intent to traverse the Ramsay Round, our training has got very real. This past month has been about ensuring we are getting the correct amount of vertical gain, mileage and cross training from a physical fitness perspective, as well as thinking about, and making decisions on, many other associated elements that will become part of a successful attempt. 

And there is so much to think about. It’s not just moving the body – although of course this is important – it’s running skills, it’s kit, it’s fuel, it’s logistics. And it’s about thinking of all of those things while juggling everyday life, kids, work and an increased, and much more intense, training programme. Our team are tired of course but dedicated to doing all we can to complete this challenge.

We have had bi-weekly zoom calls where, as a team, we have delved into the route for each leg (we have split the round into 3 days and the legs reflect this). We’ve discussed - guided by Keri at Girls On Hills – key kit requirements and also, last Wednesday, we were joined on our call by renowned sports dietician and ultra-endurance athlete Renee McGregor.

Renee answered questions we had about fuelling for weekly training as well as during the challenge. She gave us advice on food, macro and micronutrient requirements, sports products, supplements, recovery, logistics for fuelling and much more. The over-riding theme being ‘practice, practice, practice’. The gut, as well as the body, needs to be trained too.

We asked members of our team for their thoughts on this past month’s training and what they are hoping to achieve in May.

Deo -  The training for the Ramsay Round is going well and has been a lot of fun, although April has not been easy because I've been fatigued, yet I have maintained my training. I upped my mileage, time on feet and the ascent. All together, in April I completed 394.2km with 2,694m elevation. Apart from taking a trip to the A&E with severe stomach pains, I am glad to have stayed injury free and with some very strong painkillers I managed to push through and not fall back on the training.

In May, my main focus is increasing the vertical climb so, I'm aiming to complete around 6000m of elevation.

I'm looking forward the May miles!

Zukie - ‘For the month of April, training has been steady. After some sound advice from Keri and Sabrina, I ensured that I incorporated some hill reps to my training, I have also added some strength and conditioning sessions, however, I need to add more of these over the next few weeks.

‘Trying to balance, work, family life and the training has been tricky at times, but the determination to be a part of the challenge and to support Black Trail Runners in their mission is what keeps me going and focused.

‘For May, I aim to increase my average weekly mileage to at least 60 - 80 Miles per week. Another aim is to increase my elevation gain from my current weekly average of 3500ft - 4000ft. 

‘I will spend some time in the hills; looking to visit the Cheviot Hills over the next couple of weeks. In the first week of May, I am looking to complete a solo Ultramarathon of Hadrian’s Wall. This will allow me the opportunity to test and adjust some of my new kit that I am looking to use on the Ramsay Round.’

Nethliee - After the initial group meeting, the miles, the elevation and the training appeared daunting. Although I am not new to distance running, trail and fell running is a very new challenge, but by thinking of the end goal and what we aim to achieve I know it will be all worthwhile.

This month for me has been about time on feet, with several long runs for endurance with some strength and conditioning work. I have managed to achieve 153 miles with approx 5600 ft elevation, I know.... I know..... nothing near what is required, but for the month of May I intend to double that with back-to-back runs, trips to Brecon Beacons and Malvern Hills for elevation and distance. I also intend to fine tune my nutrition and recovery strategies, so watch this space, and see the difference!!!

I feel very supported by the team with excellent advice on hill running techniques, nutrition before, after and during the event, and also the group encouragement.  Preparation is key and I am preparing. Ramsey Round here I come, in fact here WE COME.

Sabrina – ‘There’s no doubt about it, this past month’s training cycle has been intense. For me it’s been about catching vert wherever I can. Not being able to get to the mountains before 12th April added a trying element to this but, since the UK has opened back up and we can travel, I have gained even more confidence by being able to train on mountainous terrain. I believe wholeheartedly in training being as specific to my challenge or race as it can be. It’s tough but, every week, I feel my body hardening.

For me training in May is about keeping the vert up but also practicing running on tired legs too. Keeping my cross training up as strength is so important for this challenge and also continuing to train my gut. One of the big issues I have had in the past has been feeling nauseous during ultra-racing, so I will be seeking to find fuel that helps me to conquer this.