Shropshire runner Michelle clocks in 100 miles with ultra marathon challenge

Michelle Bowen, who is the manager of the Lion Quays Country Club, near Oswestry, took on the Apocalypse 100 ultra marathon running non-stop for 31 hours.

She finished fifth out of only 11 runners to complete the 100-mile course and was the first woman home.

The 35-year-old, who trains with her dogs Jessie and Olly, admitted she had been completely unprepared for how steep the hills would be.

"It's the longest I've run in one go," she said. "I do ultra marathons anyway but they're usually 30 to 50 miles.

"It was very very hot at the weekend and I underestimated it. I was thinking I could do it in about 26 hours but as soon as I got out running in the sun I had to slow it back to allow for the heat.

"I didn't realise how hilly Shropshire was. It was just rolling hills and the Stiperstones were impossible to run on. At so many points I was thinking this is going to be normal but then it would get harder again.

"They had about a 70 per cent drop out on the 100-mile race with people dropping down to the 50 miles race, so finishing the 100 miles was an achievement."

Miss Bowen, who lives in Offa, Chirk, set off at 9am on Saturday and completed the event in Church Stretton at 4pm on the Sunday.

She said: "You run through the night with a map and compass. You're pretty much self-sufficient on the run but every so many miles you had a check point and you could restock your water.

"I had a support crew going to most of the check points and they brought the dogs along to see me.

"I call them 'Team Jolly' - my support team. Olly tried to join me. He's only got one speed and that's running. He was quite disappointed when I was running on without him."

Jessie and Olly were part of the reason Miss Bowen said she got into trail running, as she could take them along with her.

"I've run for years and then you get to the point where it was always on the road. My marathon time got as low as I could and I thought I'd try something different ," she said,

"So I switched to trail running and that went well because I could take the dogs. It's taken off and now the distances are getting longer."