Newport & District Running Club’s Jennie Waters has had a busy running year! This week, she was kind enough to write up a summary of the highlights of her 2025 in running:

My 2025 season highlights

This year has been a journey of testing limits, learning resilience, and celebrating achievements across trail, fell, and ultramarathon races. Each event brought its own unique terrain and conditions, and together they’ve shaped a memorable season.

At the start of the year, I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone by taking part in the fell running summer series and attempt to significantly reduce my time for the Long Mynd Hike. I knew that both would be challenging in different ways, but I like to have challenges that motivate me to train.

Jennie Waters at the Little Stretton to Stiperstones Time Trial

Shropshire Fell Running Summer Series

The Shropshire Summer Series is a collection of short, sharp fell races across iconic hills. For me, these races were a real challenge — I’m not naturally quick over short distances, nor an experienced fell runner, so every start line felt like stepping outside my comfort zone. Especially when you know that there is a real chance that you will come last.

The best out of four races determine your series position. I only entered 4: 

  • Caradoc Classic: A long steep climb and equally steep descent, with a fast finish.
  • Batch Bash: A short but brutal race but pleased to finish over 5 minutes quicker than my previous best time.
  • Rodney’s Pillar Fell Race: A longer climb rewarded with sweeping views but temperatures in the high 20s so couldn’t push it as hard as I would have liked.
  • Stiperstones Fell Race: My best of the series — I managed to finish 1st in my age group, which gave me a huge confidence boost.

Across the series, I finished 4th in my age category overall ,but I was pleased with that, given that this was my first attempt at completing the series, and it gave me more confidence to take part in fell races going forwards.

Jennie crosses the line at the Cotswolds Ultra

Maverick Cotswolds 55k Ultra

This race was a true test of endurance. Starting at Sudeley Castle, the course wound through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, taking in parts of the Cotswolds Way. On race day, the temperature soared above 30°C, making the heat a major challenge. I focused on managing hydration and pacing, and while many struggled, I coped well with the conditions. The event was superbly organised, and I was very surprised to come away with 1st in my age category — a highlight of the year.

Little Stretton to Stiperstones Time Trial

This event is a pick your own adventure – you get to choose your route between Little Stretton and Stiperstones village.  Conditions were tough: muddy and windy. I chose to go up over Long Synalds and then dropped down to Ratlinghope, however this route meant that I was going into the wind the whole way and I found it hard going. Despite that, I secured 1st in my age category and finished 2nd lady overall. 

“Not the Long Mynd Hike”

The Long Mynd Hike was cancelled this year due to adverse weather. Therefore, my friends and I decided that we would do our own version. None of us were keen to complete the full 50 miles at the end of November, so we opted for a 35‑mile cutdown version taking in large sections of the route (but missing out some of the hills). With 5,800 ft of elevation gain and  wet, muddy, and cold conditions, it was still a significant challenge. Luckily we had support along the way, which made it much more enjoyable.  We completed the route in under 9 hours, before it got dark, and beat the snow. So a great day out.

Jennie at the “Tour Des Marches” race

Reflections

This season has been about stepping outside my comfort zone and finding strength in difficult conditions. The highlights have been age‑group wins, podium finishes, and toeing the start line when I could easily have not. More than results, though, it’s the many hours spent in the hills with Darren and friends that have made the year special.