Over the weekend of 5th/6th July, Darren Waters of Newport & District Running Club took on a monster challenge: the inaugural running of the “Rollin’ Hills 100”, a 100-mile race which took in the three counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Powys. Afterwards, he sent us this report about his epic challenge (photos by Jennie Waters):

On Saturday the 5th of July, I ran the inaugural Rollin’ Hills 100, organised by Runningmonk Trail events, owned by Katie and Alan who are based in Bishops’ Castle. Starting and finishing in Bishops’ Castle, the route passes through Shropshire, Herefordshire and Powys, covering parts of the Shropshire Way, Mortimer Way and Offa’s Dyke paths. With over 5,500 metres of climbing, it lived up to its title of “Rolling Hills”.

The race started at 6:20am, and we headed out to Plowden to start the first climb of the day, up onto the Portway which we then followed to Pole Bank and on to Shooting Box for the first checkpoint at mile 10. We then cut down into Carding Mill valley, passing through Church Stretton before beginning the short but sharp ascent up Ragleth Hill. This was followed by an equally steep descent before the route flattened out a little as we made our way to Wenlock Edge via Acton Scott.

At Acton Scott I met Jennie (Darren’s wife) for an F1-style pit stop, before continuing on towards Craven Arms via Wenlock Edge. After a sharp rise up onto the Edge, there were some flatter miles before arriving at the 2nd checkpoint in Craven Arms at mile 23 where Jennie and some friends were there to cheer me on.

From Craven Arms, the route heads to Ludlow and starts with a climb out of Stokesay Castle before heading down to Bromfield, where I met Jennie again for another efficient pit stop. I then dropped down into Ludlow, skirting by Ludlow Castle to arrive at checkpoint 3 at mile 34. Still feeling strong at this point, I started the climb out of Ludlow by way of the Mortimer Way over Mortimer Woods, before dropping down to Orelton, where I met the afternoon crew for a quick bottle and nutrition swap.

From Orelton, the route goes over the beautiful common, passes the Iron Age fort, before a long downhill into Aymestry village hall and check point 4 at mile 47. A quick turnaround and I was heading for Shobdon Woods, before hacking my way down the trail into Byton where the afternoon crew were there to meet me. I passed through the 50-mile point in 10 hours and 45 minutes, still on target for a sub-24 hour finish.

Arriving at check point 5 at mile 57 at Titley village, I was still feeling strong. The next section to Kington was very overgrown, so it was a question of just pushing my way through head high bracken, gorse, hawthorn and stinging nettles until eventually the trail opens up on to a open vista as you drop down into Kington at mile 63 and checkpoint 6. There, I could pick up my first pacer, keeping me company on the Kington to Dolley Green section as we transitioned into the night and on to the Offa’s Dyke path. Some Ibiza dance tunes kept the legs turning over as we dropped down into Dolley Green at mile 71 and checkpoint 7. 

Picking up my 2nd pacer, it was a nice surprise to see Jennie, my crew and later pacers there cheering me on. The 2nd leg had cheesy 80s ballads as the theme and the miles ticked quickly away as we dropped into checkpoint 8 in Knighton at mile 77. It was here that I started to struggle to eat and the pace started to drop. Once more, Jennie and my crew were there to cheer me on even though it was 2:30 in the morning.

Picking up my 3rd pacer, we did what was, for me, the hardest section; from Knighton to Clun, steep climbs and descents marked the first 5 miles and it was slow going. Metal was the music of choice for this section and I was glad to get to checkpoint 9 in Clun at mile 89 and see Jennie again who was going to pace me for the last section.

Leaving Clun, I knew sub-24 was gone but started to pick up the pace again now that it was light and Jennie kept me motivated for the last 11 miles back to Bishops Castle, finishing in 26 hours and 51 minutes and finishing 3rd overall. It was a great route, challenging in places but showcased some of the best countryside the three counties had to offer. 

A shout out to the volunteers, many staying up all night to run the checkpoints and to Katie and Alan for doing such a good job of this inaugural event. I would also like to thank my crew and pacers who gave up most of their day and night to support me and especially Jennie for organising, crewing and pacing me and getting me over the line.