Full/ultra marathon #50 done!!! Niagara Ultra 50 K Photo Race Report

Niagara Ultra 50 K Photo Race Report

* 50th marathon/ultra marathon!
* 6th marathon/ultra marathon in 8 weeks
* looking forward to summer maintenance - next race is Montreal Marathon in late September

-Weather: hot and humid; start of race 20C (with humidity 26C); humidity rose to 36C in the middle to end of race
-5th consecutive year running the 50 K ultra marathon. One of my favourite races.

Start line

We're off!

Rather quickly, the fast runners have dispersed from me

Majority of photos in this race report are to convey the scenic views.

5 K

Lots of shade - helpful especially when the race is often in hot & humid weather conditions

10 K

12 K -- for 1 K, there is uphill incline (best part is coming back for 1 K downhill).

This photo is from the 1 K uphill - scenic!

This is a tough spot - no shade

15 K -- thank you to the wonderful volunteers who have given up their day to support this race -- long hours

Heading to Niagara Falls

Full marathon turnaround 21.1 K

Niagara Falls in the background!

Left - USA falls; Right - Canada falls

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Photo taken after I made the 25 K turnaround. Needed to reach the turnaround at 10:30 AM (3.5 hours) - missed it by a couple of minutes - glad for the downhill to pick up the pace

Horticulture -- great view!

So hot... volunteers asking runners how they are feeling... I didn't feel all that well and with less than 6 hours of sleep, getting tired. After the turnaround from the Niagara Falls, a runner hit her head on the cement wall - going uphill - head wrapped with first aid :-( Not sure if she fell or fainted or heat exhaustion. 

13 K to go -- this race is an out-and-back -- whenever there is an uphill, on the way back downhill, and vice-versa.

5 K to go. Starting at the 10 K and for every 5 K, I had my water bottle filled with either water or Nunn. That means I drank 5 L of fluid during the race. I could not fathom running this race without taking my own water bottle. Oranges, bananas, and the gel squares at the stations. 

2 K to go. 

1 mile to go

Proud little brother, Bud, wearing the finisher's medal.

Black sweatshirt this year

Low number bib

New medal design this year! It's to open a beer bottle - but I don't drink. Nice medal nonetheless. 

Came 2nd last with 9 runners dropping out. Glad I finished as I was worried I would get heat stroke. Didn't feel all that great with 20 K to go -- but with 5 K left,  more shade I am was determined to finish. Glad I did! Slept at 9:30 AM and woke up at 9 AM -- didn't sleep well but glad I got the rest.