World's Hardest Ultra Marathons - 236km Coastal Challenge - Tom Blackett
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- With 236km to run, 10,000 metres to climb, and a number of crocodile-infested river crossings to negotiate (all in 35°C and near 100% humidity), it is no wonder that The Coastal Challenge is considered by many to be one of the hardest multistage ultrarunning events in the world……….and here is my attempt!
I'd like to thank Chris Emmerson (Instagram: @chris.emmerson) for his amazing support and first class videography.
I’d also like to thank the race organisers and volunteers for making this whole event happen! Your encouragement and enthusiasm was second to none.
Instagram: @tom_blackettpt
Online coaching enquiries: info@tomblackettfitness.com
Oh that brought back some memories ❤️ TCC was my first ultra in 2014 at age 51. Fortunately I went 3 weeks before race start to acclimatise and train the hills as I did the tourist thing on foot! I’d had a back injury in 2011 and couldn’t do anything for most of 12 months.. it was seeing a random video of this race, when I couldn’t even walk to the end of my driveway that gave me something to hold on to. The big gnarly audacious goal... seemingly impossible. I entered for the 2012 run then and there but 6m before knew I didn’t have a hope of running anywhere much... so postponed til the following year.. I went vegan in that time, decided to take a year off work (cop) and backpacked solo round the world with the intention being it would culminate in this run. My goals... to finish within cut off. To not re-injure my back. 11 months of waking/running all over the world and good prep for terrain/humidity saw me achieve my goals (thanks also to Gallo Pinto 😂 rice and beans, masses of fruit and my little portable ninja type blender and a stash of chia seeds and oats and sun warrior vegan protein powder!) I also finished 10th female and aside from 2 blisters finished strong and super happy! Though we didn’t have to do any rowboat crossings 😂well done you!! I saw how hard it was for. People not used to the humidity/heat that first day particularly! Thanks for the awesome memories... definitely up there as my two most epic ultras.. TransPyrenea in France (2016) was epic beyond imagination! But that’s another story 😂😬😂
That's a fantastic effort from you Jan! I know how much it takes to get through this race - congratulations on turning your injury around and then finishing as 10th female that's totally awesome. Maybe see you on the start line some day in the future!
Tom Blackett thanks Tom! It was a life highlight for sure!
Absolutely epic Tom - what an amazing event, some stunning scenery and all brilliantly put together in this footage - well done to you and Chris.
Thanks Mum!
Well done Thomas - a fantastic achievement; great stuff! Thanks too to Chris for being your right hand man and for being there when you needed him most.
Thanks Dad!
Thank you for sharing, this is pure inspiration.
Thanks Seb!
Brilliant !!!! Very Inspiring Tom, and Chris the way you put it together was great, congrats !
Thanks RT my man! It was a great experience.. I'm so pleased I made it through. Chris did a superb job supporting and filming as always. Hope all's well old chap 👊
Great video, you really get a sense of the magnitude of the challenge. Well done for getting it done!
Thanks Cam! It was a test like no other.
Awesome work. You seem refreshingly laid back for a man with so much determination. Looking forward to the next one 💪🏻
Thanks TK - you should join me on the next one!
Hi Tom,
Finished my TCC in 2018.
But nobody could tell my story better then your movie!
You did a great job, a life changing experience to be proud of! 💪
Thanks Guillaume! Glad you enjoyed it 💪 and well done for finishing in 2018 - takes some serious grit.
Maybe see you on the start line some day.
Well done Tom. Impressive feat of endurance. That water looked refreshing. Nice production.
Thanks James, it was a real challenge, hope all's well mate!
Nice job!! I just finished TCC 2023 and your video was such great preparation for everything that could go wrong. Really steeled me for what we experienced.
Pleased to hear it and well done for finishing. The Coastal Challenge is the hardest race I've ever done!
Well done Tom! And the cameraman! Great to watch.
Glad you enjoyed it Piet! Chris did an amazing job with all the filming and editing.
Amazing! Well done Blackett 👏👏👏
Thanks Shan - couldn't have done it without Chris!
Great effort. Thanks for sahring.
Incredible event, epic location and great performance Tom! Good work and cant wait till the next one.
Couldn't have done it without you mate - Looking forward to our future adventures!
So awesome! It was good to see that you were going through all the same feelings I was. I only made it halfway through to day 2 though. That heat was so crazy intense and I couldn't move! Im so impressed that you pushed through to the end! Very inspiring every time I saw you! Thanks for capturing the race like this!
Thanks for your kind words Michele. It really was savage wasn't it? Chris did an amazing job filming and putting the whole video together.
Maybe see you on the start line again some time in the future!
UR AWESOME BRO. SUCH A BRAVE SOUL. CONGRATS
Thanks Eugene 👊👍
Such a great video and really well done on completing the race!
Thanks Charlie! I passed yours and Dave's compliments to Chris :)
Great video
Awesome! Although the crocodile mangrove...not so much 😬. Brilliantly filmed too 👏
Thanks Maxine 🌝 the unsung hero is my cameraman Chris, he told the story better than I ever could have.
Amazing work Tom!
Thanks Scott - it was a seriously epic adventure!
Well done 🤙
Top effort mate!
Thanks Trett! Hope all's well mate
Is this the most challenging experience of your life? How many times did you honestly contemplate giving up? Great job, way to keep battling.
The Coastal Challenge remains to this day one of the hardest things I've ever done. From day 4 onwards I thought about giving up all the time.. somehow I persevered. Thanks for watching :)
Wow. Watching how much it sucks makes me wanna do it more. I'm not joking. Seriously considering signing up for 2025.
Do it, it's like heaven and hell combined
Awesome effort Tom and beautifully captured! My goal is to run this and get Rodrigo to put that medal around my neck (he’s a mate of mine). Bravo!
Ps: check out #RunDayMay
Thanks Mark - Chris did a terrific job putting the whole thing together. Good luck with your goal - it is totally worth pursuing!