the upper hand and can flex its muscles at a moment’s notice. It is very satisfying, and an integral part of the challenge, to be prepared for whatever is thrown at you, to cope and to press on.
As always the company of fellow competitors is both humbling and inspiring, as are the efforts of the aid station volunteers who help provide sustenance during the journey. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of these long Alpine ultra events is the contribution of the ordinary people who live in the valleys and villages through which the races pass. They come out of their homes to encourage you on your way, some in the most unlikely of locations and at utterly unreasonable times of day, to give you a cheer, a “Bravo” or an “Allez, allez”, calling you by name which they can see on your race number. These ordinary people are for me the true heroes of these incredible races. They seem to have a deep-rooted respect for the competitors; it’s a pity that our swift passage through their lives doesn’t give us time to tell them how much respect we have for them, and how important they are to our effort.
Finally my love and thanks to Alison for helping me in a whole variety of ways to get ready to undertake this challenge; she was with me every step of the way.
• For more information on the CCC race and it’s big sibling the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc:
www.ultratrailmb.com/
• Morgan used the CCC to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research. Funds raised so far are just over £2,500. He has a Just Giving site which is still open, donations still welcome:
www.justgiving.com/Morgan-Williams1
Things are looking up after crossing the Grand Col Ferret about 40k into the race
ILKLEY HARRIERS NEWSLETTER • SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2010 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32