Sweat, tears and laughter all part of Five Islands Ultra challenge

Wednesday 22 May 2024

The longest footrace in the Channel Islands returned after a nine year hiatus, challenging competitors to race 110 miles in three days.

They circled Alderney, Herm and Sark on the first day, before a lap of Guernsey as part of the GU36 ultra on Sunday and then a final hit out around the perimeter of Jersey on Monday.

Pictured: Winner Tiann Erwee set the pace on every stage.

In the end it was a comfortable win for Tiaan Erwee, a former Guernsey resident, with a cumulative time of 14 hours 51 minutes and 54 seconds.

He was followed home by Adam Grogan (16:18.30) who stretched a small gap on third-placed Vytautas Krasnauskas (16:29.15) on the final day.

Pictured: Adam Grogan secured second with a decisive move in the Jersey stage.

The Five Islands Ulta was first run in 2014 and 2015.

"While successful, the logistical nightmare of the event led me to the decision that it was time to retire this creation," said race organiser Digby Ellis-Brecknell.

"Time moves on and so ultras and trail running has boomed and my inbox was littered with occasional requests abouts this mythological event. It seemed that the time was ripe to let it re-arise as the legendary phoenix."

Pictured: Race organiser Digby Ellis-Brecknell.

He had hoped for 22 runners, but after an initial flurry of interest the field was left at 11 "committed masochists".

"The 11 were mighty and the presence of Tiaan set the tone for the weekend, run hard but run with humility. Tiaan set a standard for this race and his fellow runners matched him. All deserve equal recognition for completing this gruelling event."

The logistical challenges of organising the event remain as headache inducing as ever.

"However, like all ultra runners, you persevere to the finish line and then breathe a sigh of relief and say, 'never again'.

"You sleep and then say, 'when is the next one?' and of course there has to be a next one. "2025 will see the Five Islands Ultra continue, hopefully with a larger field and equally committed runners.

"With an inbox now full of new interest it will be time to reach out and look for the continued support of the team at the GU36 and folk across the islands that make this possible.

"The results show little of the true nature of the event and the photos offer some glimpses into the blood, sweat and tears that were shed. Laughter and crying, probably some swearing, all make these events incredible.

"However, it is the determination of the runners themselves that makes this event something truly unique."

Guernseyman Grogan summed it all up: "Absolute legends, all of you! Well done on completing this monster of an event – the body is battered and bruised but not broken. Looking forward to the next one."

Results

1. Tiann Erwee 14:51.54 (1:08.59 Ald; 25.08 Herm; 1:10.28 Sark; 4:45.14 Gsy; 7:22.05 Jsy)
2. Adam Grogan 16:18.30 (1:19.21; 26.48; 1:13.05; 5:26.03; 7:53.13)
3. Vytautas Krasnauskas 16:29:15 (1:19.21; 26.48; 1:13.22; 5:27.41; 8:02.03)
4. Jonny Amy 16:49.36 (1:19.21; 28.48; 1:20.20; 5:35.17; 8:07.50)
5. Michael Frazier 19:16.03 (1:27.44; 35.31; 1:45.40; 6:18.19; 9:08.49)
6. Clint King 19:21.13 (1:19.30; 31.38; 1:28.42; 6:18.19; 9:43.04)
7. Martin Higgins 20:23.35 (1:41.14; 35.31; 1:45.40; 7:10.59; 9:10.11)
8. John Capenter 21:13.10 (1:29.32; 36.28; 1:45.40; 7:10.59; 10:10.31)
9. Martin Higgins 20:23.35 (1:41.14; 35.31; 1:45.40; 7:10.59; 9:10.11)
10. Andy Fortune 23:04.45 (1:41.14; 38.40; 1:48.40; 7:48.45; 11:07.26; 23:04.45)
11. Drew Jonkman 24:41.06 (1:29.53; 35.31; 1:48.40; 8:02.52; 12:44.10)

• Stuart Mills completed Herm (38.40) Sark (1:48.40) Guernsey cliffs (3:24.00) and Jersey White Rock to Grosnez (3:22.00).