Watching the mass start and all the wonderful supporters gave me all the feels that watching a marathon always does... 😭😭😭 Hope we can have that back some day, really missing the glorious togetherness and joy and humanity these events bring out...
Wow! Did all that foot work and took us along for the ride too? Incredible! You are my hero! That probably will be the only time in my life I will ever enjoy such a stunning view! I feel utterly blessed. Thank you Ben. I'm blown away!
You need to warn us if you do any more emotional videos like this, you nearly made me cry haha Absolutely incredible achievement, well done both of you!
Hi Ben, I have registered for Verbier X-Traversee and didn’t know how long this will take me. Then I found this video and decided that I would like to do it under 19h and i did it, thanks.
Just went back and saw this one again. Puts a BIG smile on my face. Wish you all the best for the future Ben - and please keep sharing ups and downs both in race and life situations. 💪♥️👍
Incredible race, incredible achievement, and love your videos! Just wish they could throw a race without polluting such a beautiful place by setting off balloons at its start!
I love all your content but these type of videos are epic. High and lows are how running teaches to take life by the horns. Much love for you brother. I am glad I found you.
Charlie Sandison thanks Charlie! It’s so hard.. really want to be competitive in this environment, but not sure how unless I live there.. maybe one day! I’ll text you later as free the next couple of weekends if you want to run some trails..
Hi Ben, this is very educative video, indeed. Me and my wife are running Verbier UT oncoming Saturday so in order to get some courage I watched it and laughed very much :). Your commentary is simply priceless. Hopefully we will survive this hell :). Cheers.
Could not agree more. Full disgrace for the organizer. Hundreds of balloons will pollute the mountain for years just for a cool photo .... I wonder how the participants agreed to be part of this
Great memories of doing this in 2016, one of my favourite ultras ever..I was just as broken, sat at the bottom of the last climb for 30 mins questioning life choices, nibbling on cheese and crackers before I could press on. Glad I did, finished at about 1am and crawled into bed absolutely raw and destroyed. But glorious. I was supposed to do in 2018 again but was injured in the end.. Maybe next year...
Bravo you are a finisher! I did the Marathon and it was not my first time at Verbier. The Landscape was amazing and soo beautifull and your Film is just great, thank you for your hounestly view during your race!! Ahh, it is possible that I saw you at La Chaux, I arrived something around 22 p.m! 👏🎖🏃♂️
That looked a beast of a run. Just started watching your youtube video's. Trying to watch them in cronological order and looking forward to seeing how you go. Thanks for posting them.
And he's a 2:25 marathon runner. Now that shows you the insane level of people like Kilian Jornet and François d'Haene who run the UTMB ( 170 kms and +10000 m vertical ) in just over 20 hours ! These guys are the greatest athletes on this earth
Well most of the european runners are true mountain people and engage only in mountain activities ( skiing, climbing etc ) but most american trail runners have a track and field background. Jim Walmsley ran a half marathon in 1:04:00 and just broke the 50 miles world record in 4:50:08 and Sage Canaday marathon pb is 2:18:24 so they're not doing too bad on tarmac as well !
Damn! That was absolutely epic. Thanks so much for filming the experience Ben. It’s one thing to see the stats on Strava but another to see you go through those highs and lows in that stunning setting. I’ve not done many really long runs but highly recommend Tailwind. It’s great stuff.
Loved the comments prior to 14 mins how the ground bashes you. I have my first mountain race in August. Good to see a race from a far fitter and younger persons perspective.
Mate that looks absolutely epic! A good way of practising in Britain if you ever get a chance is the Welsh 3000s challenge. It's only around 48km and 3000m of ascent. It's one of my favourite things to do. But what you have done looks on a completely different level! Congrats!
Christopher Dickie thank you Christopher! I haven’t heard of the Welsh 3000s challenge, but will look that up today. Thank you for your support, appreciate it!
But you got it done...awe inspiring stuff, and a very frank and honest account. I know you will back training this week and doing more deliberate practice. 👍 Also, I like it that Sarah comes into the aid station smiling. I wonder what her race looked like (although expect there would be lots of singing into camera and I don't really want to watch that.)
e Cooper thanks Ben! I’m sure Sarah has a fair amount of singing during her ultras.. it’s a good way to pass the time! 🙉 Certainly getting way more vertical climbing/descending into training going forward. See you soon!!
Tailwind Ben is great but not for everyone - 132 km in Wicklow Way Ireland in 18:35 4000m climbing........all i had were jellies and tailwind, water & coke, fruit and oats!!!!
Great video and views. Thanks for sharing. I just signed up for this race for this summer. Can you comment on how often you had to cross water and got your feet wet? And did they allow you to send ahead a drop bag with additional shoes or food? Fuel: my favorite thing to eat are sunrype fruit and veggie bars (1.2 oz) or That's It brand bars. I then couple those with some protein bars with fat in them. Muscle wants sugar more than anything as a fuel but one can only eat or slurp down so many gels or energy chews. I need something to balance it out. Tortillas with hummus and chopped up olives can be a good snack as well to reset the palate and enable you to eat more carb based foods. Just some ideas.
Hey! Never got my feet wet. All the streams / rivers had bridges. Can’t remember if there were drop bags.. I didn’t have one, so doubt there was. Best check the website to be sure! Thanks for the food ideas 🙌
There is a lot of snow this year, and streams have much more water than usual. I did the recon of half this route last weekend and got my feet wet like 10 times.
Love your honesty - getting a stone in your shoe, always happens but I've never seen it on any other vlogs :) You echoed exactly what I always say about the downhills, but I say it about the uphills too! Epic effort, congratulations.
Emma Connolly thank you Emma! It’s funny how getting a stone in your shoe in the first half is so annoying as you don’t want to stop. But I’d almost welcome a stone in my shoe in the second half, just so I have an excuse to take a breather!
Old school Ben 💪 when you used the f bomb 🙉😂 love this vid, scenery looks amazing, 3rd time I’ve watched this one I think, but is it still the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Impressive stuff, after watching a few of your other ultra runs you're really having issues with your fueling? I'm sure its probably a major issue for a lot of runners. Keep up the good work
It would have been impossible without them. I didn't see any runners who didn't have poles.. there probably were a few, but I never saw any! I didn't really use them before, just practiced putting them in my pack and taking them out while it was on my back. Harry Runs just uploaded a new video on technique that's worth checking out. Mine are Black Diamond Carbon Z. Leki are the other brand to look at! Good luck
Congratulations Ben! Fantastic achievement! After watching this I can't wait for my Lakeland Trail 50k in June, a starter for hopefully many more trail routes across the countries for years to come. I need both poles and a hydration pack for my event, would you recommend the Black Carbon Z Poles and your Salomon Ultra Pack? Thanks.
Hey Mark! I've only ever really used the Black Diamond poles and Salomon packs, but they certainly work really well for me. No complaints at all. All the best with your Lakeland 50 in June!! Happy running!
Great vid how did u carry poles ? Got my first 100 mile this year with a ton of elevation poles are new to me and not sure best way to carry Many thanks
Hey. I did carry them in my hands.. all the way, well apart from the first mile or two. They do go in my pack pretty easily (Salomon ADV 12 Set) and I can take them out and put them away while it's on. Or you can buy a quiver from Salomon to make it much easier. But this race was so hard I just kept them out all the time.
Ben Parkes thanks that sounds perfect I'm using a Nathan vest that doesn't allow for poles might need to invest in a new pack race has 20,000 ft of elevation thinking poles should help a little ! Loving your videos m8 the watch one was really helpful too keep please them coming
You picked quite a technical trail to start with. Something less technical and with more flats would have given you a chance with all the crazy leg speed you have.
@@BenParkes I see you often in Strava. You are an amazing athlete. Most of us can only dream on having performances like yours. Besides you showed that you are very humble in the way you described the race. Races like the CCC on the UTMB will be easier for you, and I am sure you will get (or are already getting) professional help on how to manage an ultra trail in terms of nutrition and all that. All the best Ben !
Thank you Pedro.. I'd love to run the UTMB and CCC one day. Sadly I didn't get a place in the UTMB ballot this year, so hopefully I will in 2020. All the very best for your running.. see you on the trails!
Awesome video and insight into this race Ben! Congrats on the finish. I have done a mountain race in Europe (50k) and could feel your pain on the inclines and declines. Unlike you I am a back of the pack runner/hiker. I was thinking of this race for next year. I do not do well with exposure (or ladders). Was there much exposure on this course? Was there much on the back half of the course (where I would likely be doing it in the dark?). Again, congrats on the race...and best of luck in the future.
Hey Ben, I’m planning to run this in 2025 and also live in a London. Wanted to ask - you said you were really strong on climbs. How did you train for it?
What an idiotic comment, this doesn't make him better nor worse. Good on him he is happy with it. He is just himself and it is very commendable he is not pushing veganism down our throats like a lot of idiots do. All about respecting different lifestyles.
Were you using electrolyte tablets in the water? I struggled with the altitude and jet lag when I flew to 🇨🇦 for a race. Just need more time to acclimatise before running and make sure I’m recovered from the jet lag
I laughed so hard when you were telling us that you’ve never run a half marathon but did one in training in 1hr 13... so casual haha! So was this harder than running your marathon pb? Congrats on finishing - glad you are recovering well!
Matt Lee hey Matt. WAY WAY harder than any road marathon. Yes, they hurt.. but you just have to eat 5 gels at set points, drink a bit of water and run in a straight line. 🤣 But I’m relatively new to this and this race was my first ever in the mountains, so lots to learn and build upon for the next one!
You know this is going to eventually become an itch that will need scratching again don't you? For the record I was delirious after my last race with 4000m+. My gf was scared by the jibberish coming out of my mouth....
Ha! These races can cause you to get into a right state!! Hope you're all recovered now. This one was a real catalyst for getting back to the mountains and getting better. Much of 2019 will be spent on some big trails. All the best!
Yeah, it was a few years ago back in Sydney. I've been playing stay-at-home-dad in Vienna since then so not as much running these days despite all the beautiful landscape around. Just getting back into it (trail-running) now, and impressed by my lack of form. I mean really. I may just come across you in the Swiss alps next year if a comment I heard was true re UTMB? I'm normally in the area each summer.... Cheers bro Aaron (ex Kiwi btw ;-)
Leaning back, having some Nutella, enjoying the video. :-D
17:22 "nice 36min km there..." hahaha. loving these older videos.
Watching the mass start and all the wonderful supporters gave me all the feels that watching a marathon always does... 😭😭😭 Hope we can have that back some day, really missing the glorious togetherness and joy and humanity these events bring out...
Wow! Did all that foot work and took us along for the ride too? Incredible! You are my hero! That probably will be the only time in my life I will ever enjoy such a stunning view! I feel utterly blessed. Thank you Ben. I'm blown away!
You need to warn us if you do any more emotional videos like this, you nearly made me cry haha
Absolutely incredible achievement, well done both of you!
Thank you Craig. Haha.. I was nearly crying sitting at that aid station! All the best.
Hi Ben, I have registered for Verbier X-Traversee and didn’t know how long this will take me. Then I found this video and decided that I would like to do it under 19h and i did it, thanks.
Just went back and saw this one again. Puts a BIG smile on my face. Wish you all the best for the future Ben - and please keep sharing ups and downs both in race and life situations. 💪♥️👍
Incredible race, incredible achievement, and love your videos! Just wish they could throw a race without polluting such a beautiful place by setting off balloons at its start!
I love all your content but these type of videos are epic. High and lows are how running teaches to take life by the horns. Much love for you brother. I am glad I found you.
phenomenal ben, amazing effort. Thank you for filming brilliant insight. I echo your comment need to work on the down hills. Well done pal!
Charlie Sandison thanks Charlie! It’s so hard.. really want to be competitive in this environment, but not sure how unless I live there.. maybe one day!
I’ll text you later as free the next couple of weekends if you want to run some trails..
Hi Ben, this is very educative video, indeed. Me and my wife are running Verbier UT oncoming Saturday so in order to get some courage I watched it and laughed very much :). Your commentary is simply priceless. Hopefully we will survive this hell :). Cheers.
Hope you both have a great run Tomas!
A very instructive video: I am surprised you could even stand up the next day!
One of my favorite running race videos
Pretty weird how the organisers literally just littered the mountainside with those balloons. What were they thinking?
Could not agree more. Full disgrace for the organizer. Hundreds of balloons will pollute the mountain for years just for a cool photo .... I wonder how the participants agreed to be part of this
That scenery is absolutely stunning,
Wow- great job. I know I’d come in last for sure not only because it’s a tough course but who would want to end a trek through that beauty!
Congrats!!!
Glad you did it to the finish line👍🏽💪🏽 Saw you at La Chaux aid station.
18:23 Jan! Bravo! Félicitations. Merci pour votre aide
Great memories of doing this in 2016, one of my favourite ultras ever..I was just as broken, sat at the bottom of the last climb for 30 mins questioning life choices, nibbling on cheese and crackers before I could press on. Glad I did, finished at about 1am and crawled into bed absolutely raw and destroyed. But glorious. I was supposed to do in 2018 again but was injured in the end.. Maybe next year...
Bravo you are a finisher! I did the Marathon and it was not my first time at Verbier. The Landscape was amazing and soo beautifull and your Film is just great, thank you for your hounestly view during your race!! Ahh, it is possible that I saw you at La Chaux, I arrived something around 22 p.m!
👏🎖🏃♂️
Thank you Sibylle. I was at La Chaux around 22:00, so would have seen you then. Well done on your Marathon!!
Very humbling to see this, and experience it I'm sure. Appreciate the documentation of the experience!
Glad you liked the video Nick! Was so tough out there on that day.. big learning experience for sure!
That looked a beast of a run. Just started watching your youtube video's. Trying to watch them in cronological order and looking forward to seeing how you go. Thanks for posting them.
God that really took its toll eh!:)... not seen him so unenthusiastic and reluctant to give a thumbs up haha. Good effort Ben!
Truly epic stuff! Your training/racing is totally inspirational.
Thanks Jamie. Hope you're coping ok in the London heatwave!! Not easy getting the training done at the moment!
Ben Parkes cheers! Been tough in the heat but still managing to get out and run.
Great video! Most would of packed it in and QUIT but congrats on completing the race!!!!! look forward to more content, very informative!
Alan Kargbo thank you Alan. Lots more to come from races and tips too. All the best 🙌🏻
I'm debating doing a mountain ultra in a bit...this definitely motivated me!
You could try training in Snowdonia to get used to the mountain declines. Hard to train for something like this in 'the old smoke'
And he's a 2:25 marathon runner. Now that shows you the insane level of people like Kilian Jornet and François d'Haene who run the UTMB ( 170 kms and +10000 m vertical ) in just over 20 hours ! These guys are the greatest athletes on this earth
For sure.. It would be amazing to see some of those guys run a road marathon and see how they do!
Well most of the european runners are true mountain people and engage only in mountain activities ( skiing, climbing etc ) but most american trail runners have a track and field background.
Jim Walmsley ran a half marathon in 1:04:00 and just broke the 50 miles world record in 4:50:08 and Sage Canaday marathon pb is 2:18:24 so they're not doing too bad on tarmac as well !
Damn! That was absolutely epic. Thanks so much for filming the experience Ben. It’s one thing to see the stats on Strava but another to see you go through those highs and lows in that stunning setting.
I’ve not done many really long runs but highly recommend Tailwind. It’s great stuff.
Amjid Khan thanks for you’re kind words Amjid! I’m going to get some tailwind ordered up for the NDW100 next month. Hope all is well with you!
Well done Ben. Good effort. Brilliant video.
Thank you very much!
Well done Ben. Utterly inspiring, an absolute awesome achievement.
Keep up the good work. Really enjoy your videos & IG page 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you Bryan, appreciate the support. Hope your running is going well!
Really enjoying these videos, think I´m going to have to get into this a bit. Thanks a bunch!!
Beautiful surroundings for a trail race!
Loved the comments prior to 14 mins how the ground bashes you. I have my first mountain race in August. Good to see a race from a far fitter and younger persons perspective.
Incredible effort and what a place to do it! Well done sir!
You put yourself in some deep holes on these races Ben FairPlay to you 👏
Mate that looks absolutely epic!
A good way of practising in Britain if you ever get a chance is the Welsh 3000s challenge. It's only around 48km and 3000m of ascent. It's one of my favourite things to do. But what you have done looks on a completely different level! Congrats!
Christopher Dickie thank you Christopher! I haven’t heard of the Welsh 3000s challenge, but will look that up today. Thank you for your support, appreciate it!
But you got it done...awe inspiring stuff, and a very frank and honest account. I know you will back training this week and doing more deliberate practice. 👍 Also, I like it that Sarah comes into the aid station smiling. I wonder what her race looked like (although expect there would be lots of singing into camera and I don't really want to watch that.)
e Cooper thanks Ben! I’m sure Sarah has a fair amount of singing during her ultras.. it’s a good way to pass the time! 🙉 Certainly getting way more vertical climbing/descending into training going forward. See you soon!!
Great watch! What an effort
Tailwind Ben is great but not for everyone - 132 km in Wicklow Way Ireland in 18:35 4000m climbing........all i had were jellies and tailwind, water & coke, fruit and oats!!!!
Great video and views. Thanks for sharing. I just signed up for this race for this summer. Can you comment on how often you had to cross water and got your feet wet? And did they allow you to send ahead a drop bag with additional shoes or food?
Fuel: my favorite thing to eat are sunrype fruit and veggie bars (1.2 oz) or That's It brand bars. I then couple those with some protein bars with fat in them. Muscle wants sugar more than anything as a fuel but one can only eat or slurp down so many gels or energy chews. I need something to balance it out. Tortillas with hummus and chopped up olives can be a good snack as well to reset the palate and enable you to eat more carb based foods. Just some ideas.
Hey! Never got my feet wet. All the streams / rivers had bridges. Can’t remember if there were drop bags.. I didn’t have one, so doubt there was. Best check the website to be sure! Thanks for the food ideas 🙌
There is a lot of snow this year, and streams have much more water than usual. I did the recon of half this route last weekend and got my feet wet like 10 times.
Love your honesty - getting a stone in your shoe, always happens but I've never seen it on any other vlogs :) You echoed exactly what I always say about the downhills, but I say it about the uphills too! Epic effort, congratulations.
Emma Connolly thank you Emma! It’s funny how getting a stone in your shoe in the first half is so annoying as you don’t want to stop. But I’d almost welcome a stone in my shoe in the second half, just so I have an excuse to take a breather!
12:10 you just gotta lean forward and send it bro 😄
Old school Ben 💪 when you used the f bomb 🙉😂 love this vid, scenery looks amazing, 3rd time I’ve watched this one I think, but is it still the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Loving your video's. Really helpful. Am looking to start. Long distance/ultra running. What windproof jacket would you recommend
Impressive stuff, after watching a few of your other ultra runs you're really having issues with your fueling? I'm sure its probably a major issue for a lot of runners. Keep up the good work
Now that you've more experience in trail ultras would you consider doing this race again?
It is a great race! Only fond memories, despite my performance!
Did you find the poles a big help? Did you train much with them beforehand? Got my first mountain race in Sept so just looking into poles.
It would have been impossible without them. I didn't see any runners who didn't have poles.. there probably were a few, but I never saw any! I didn't really use them before, just practiced putting them in my pack and taking them out while it was on my back. Harry Runs just uploaded a new video on technique that's worth checking out. Mine are Black Diamond Carbon Z. Leki are the other brand to look at! Good luck
Such an amazing watch! Amazing stuff. What shoes did you wear for this beast?
Congratulations Ben! Fantastic achievement! After watching this I can't wait for my Lakeland Trail 50k in June, a starter for hopefully many more trail routes across the countries for years to come.
I need both poles and a hydration pack for my event, would you recommend the Black Carbon Z Poles and your Salomon Ultra Pack? Thanks.
Hey Mark! I've only ever really used the Black Diamond poles and Salomon packs, but they certainly work really well for me. No complaints at all. All the best with your Lakeland 50 in June!! Happy running!
Great vid how did u carry poles ? Got my first 100 mile this year with a ton of elevation poles are new to me and not sure best way to carry
Many thanks
Hey. I did carry them in my hands.. all the way, well apart from the first mile or two. They do go in my pack pretty easily (Salomon ADV 12 Set) and I can take them out and put them away while it's on. Or you can buy a quiver from Salomon to make it much easier. But this race was so hard I just kept them out all the time.
Ben Parkes thanks that sounds perfect I'm using a Nathan vest that doesn't allow for poles might need to invest in a new pack race has 20,000 ft of elevation thinking poles should help a little ! Loving your videos m8 the watch one was really helpful too keep please them coming
You picked quite a technical trail to start with. Something less technical and with more flats would have given you a chance with all the crazy leg speed you have.
Very naive on my part! Was very tough indeed..
@@BenParkes I see you often in Strava. You are an amazing athlete. Most of us can only dream on having performances like yours. Besides you showed that you are very humble in the way you described the race. Races like the CCC on the UTMB will be easier for you, and I am sure you will get (or are already getting) professional help on how to manage an ultra trail in terms of nutrition and all that. All the best Ben !
Thank you Pedro.. I'd love to run the UTMB and CCC one day. Sadly I didn't get a place in the UTMB ballot this year, so hopefully I will in 2020. All the very best for your running.. see you on the trails!
man! amazing!
Awesome video and insight into this race Ben! Congrats on the finish. I have done a mountain race in Europe (50k) and could feel your pain on the inclines and declines. Unlike you I am a back of the pack runner/hiker. I was thinking of this race for next year. I do not do well with exposure (or ladders). Was there much exposure on this course? Was there much on the back half of the course (where I would likely be doing it in the dark?). Again, congrats on the race...and best of luck in the future.
Hey Ben, I’m planning to run this in 2025 and also live in a London.
Wanted to ask - you said you were really strong on climbs. How did you train for it?
Blimey didn´t realise you were a vegan too, what a hero you are !!!
What an idiotic comment, this doesn't make him better nor worse. Good on him he is happy with it. He is just himself and it is very commendable he is not pushing veganism down our throats like a lot of idiots do. All about respecting different lifestyles.
Anyone know the name of the emotive theme tune?
Were you using electrolyte tablets in the water? I struggled with the altitude and jet lag when I flew to 🇨🇦 for a race. Just need more time to acclimatise before running and make sure I’m recovered from the jet lag
I laughed so hard when you were telling us that you’ve never run a half marathon but did one in training in 1hr 13... so casual haha! So was this harder than running your marathon pb? Congrats on finishing - glad you are recovering well!
Matt Lee hey Matt. WAY WAY harder than any road marathon. Yes, they hurt.. but you just have to eat 5 gels at set points, drink a bit of water and run in a straight line. 🤣 But I’m relatively new to this and this race was my first ever in the mountains, so lots to learn and build upon for the next one!
Ben Parkes Love that! Serious Kudos :)
You know this is going to eventually become an itch that will need scratching again don't you?
For the record I was delirious after my last race with 4000m+. My gf was scared by the jibberish coming out of my mouth....
Ha! These races can cause you to get into a right state!! Hope you're all recovered now. This one was a real catalyst for getting back to the mountains and getting better. Much of 2019 will be spent on some big trails. All the best!
Yeah, it was a few years ago back in Sydney. I've been playing stay-at-home-dad in Vienna since then so not as much running these days despite all the beautiful landscape around. Just getting back into it (trail-running) now, and impressed by my lack of form. I mean really.
I may just come across you in the Swiss alps next year if a comment I heard was true re UTMB? I'm normally in the area each summer....
Cheers bro
Aaron (ex Kiwi btw ;-)
so much for "I NEVER wear sunglasses while running" haha
I taught i ta a putty tat.