This is the second of a three part blog. The first was about the wonderful volunteers that make the race happen. This one is my observations of the race as a volunteer supporting the runners.
When you sign up for a 6 day multi-stage, self supporting race with 250 km over 6 stages and 7 days, you probably don't know what you are in for, unless you have done one before. But URR is so tough with 11,000m of ascent and descent, 38 degree gradient climbs and rough terrain under foot that many experienced runners were surprised.
When you describe it to friends they start asking questions, do they feed you? are there showers? do they put you up in a hotel between stages? Your friends begin to question your sanity when they find out the answer was no to those three questions, because who in their right mind would sign up for that? So why do we do it? Each runner has their own story which brought them to this particular start line and as long as their WHY is strong they will be successful in their race. But success is measured differently for each athlete ranging from winning to completing the race.
There were 15 athletes on the start line from, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, Romania, France, Great Britain, Japan, Brazil, and Luxemburg. The age range was from the youngster in his early 30's to the mature gentleman in his 60s and the split was 9 women & 6 men. When they met on the first day I observed those that were excited and happy to talk and those that were there to win who were more reserved and had their "game face" on. At the first meal one athlete at our table finished their food almost without speaking to anyone and then retired to bed.
The next day the athletes traveled to the base camp and they weren't really mixing. In fact in one tent they didn't speak to each other at all that night. This however is normal as they are all contemplating in their heads how the next 7 days will go. Camping with strangers & living out a rucksack for 7 days while running in the mountains isn't easy and so difficult to contemplate what it's like, even if you have ran an ultra before. There is constant chattering in your head; did I train enough, have I got the right food, will we meet bears or wild dogs? This tends to make you retreat into yourself as you don't want to show any signs of weakness to strangers you are competing with.
In previous races I have observed that the group normally breaks into three. The top third are those who are out to win. They are hardened competitors and winning a prestigious race like URR will be good for their CV. The next third are out to get as good a time as is physically possible but they are also there to enjoy the experience and take in the surroundings. The last third are athletes who are likely to power walk more than run and are there to complete the race rather than compete in the race but enjoy the scenery along the way. The fast ones push themselves to the limit but get it over and done with quickly. The rest are out much longer and suffer more in the heat so it's a challenge for all the athletes.
In day 1 Reinhold Hugo from Switzerland completed the stage in a record breaking 3:37. He came across the line dripping in sweat but hardly out of breath. The tail ender that day took 8:31 but enjoyed her day out - sadly she DNF'd the next day but continued to be involved in different parts of the race. There were two other DNF's and they also stayed in camp and worked as volunteers just to remain part of what was becoming, a tight group. Already one of them has signed up for 2024 - that's the spirit Tun and Alessandro hopes to be back in 2025.
Reinhold won every stage and smashed the course record with a winning time of 29:39. During the race he was humble, polite and encouraged all the athletes no matter what their time was.
2 & 3rd place went to Noemi Hagg of Switzerland & Michaela Punz-Raml of Austria. After 2 stages they decided to run together which they enjoyed and obviously was safer with bears in the area.
You can read the full results on the URR website but what it doesn't tell you is how this group of athletes became like a family during the course of the race.
The 4, all different nationalities, in the tent that didn't speak on the first night became like "party central". The laughter that came from the tent showed they were having a good time in the toughest of conditions. With no showers, everyone smells and usually has only one running top and shorts with them with two pairs of socks. But in the end you don't notice the smell and everyone is in the same position. Also the women wore no make up which didn't bother anyone as the race went on.
Everyone had their breakfast & dinner together and offered encouragement and sometimes a word of advice or even a massage for those aching traps from carrying the rucksack. They tried learning Romanian, they told jokes and occasionally played tricks on each other. The transformation I witnessed from day 1 was incredible. They also got to know the volunteers so the family expanded.
The day after the "long day" (68km) the athletes rested in hammocks, slept, washed their clothes, ate their food and socialised. This was helped by a surprise from the organisers which I won't go into detail about, as I don't want to ruin the surprise for future competitors. Needless to say, every competitor was delighted with the surprise and it lifted their spirits as they rested before 42 km the next day which they considered to be "just a marathon"!
There spirits were lifted further when one of the volunteers, John, borrowed my kilt and ran up and down the campsite waving a machete like a madman while the sound of AC/DC played Thunderstruck! John's past shoulder length grey hair made him look like the leading man from Braveheart and now he's known as The Highlander.
On the final day we witnessed 12 athletes become URR Legends. The finish line had a carnival atmosphere and family and friends were there waiting to greet them. The volunteers also had family along which made it a very special celebration. We had beer at the finish line and once the last athlete was home safely we greeted the sweepers with a standing ovation. We retired to the local restaurant for some wonderful Romanian cuisine and more beer!
All good things come to an end and when the meal was finished, the athletes said goodbye to the volunteers who had looked after them over the last 7 days. A few tears were shed as we parted and I know the athletes and volunteers will stay lifelong friends. This is so much more than a race and that message has been repeated by the athletes in their FB posts following the race.
The athletes then had 2 days of sight seeing and again the bonds became even tighter between them. After that first shower back at the hotel and a change of clothes, we all enjoyed real food and the tours that had been organised.
The friendships that have come out of this race are amazing. I know because 2 years ago I was in the race and DNF'd but have stayed in touch with athletes who took part. There were three athletes from previous years who came to visit the race and stay in the tents - one even brought his lovely family and another volunteered for 2 days. That I think sums up the ethos of this race. It doesn't matter if you are 1st, last or DNF'd - you are part of the URR family and on returning will be greeted with open arms as I was. I watched 15 strangers from 11 different countries and 40 volunteers evolve into a family within a week - in today's fast paced world driven by greed and material things, this is something very special.
Again I'd like to thank the organisers for coming up with this amazing race that even the top athlete's said is harder than MdS and Grand 2 Grand. But it's the total experience of genuinely feeling part of a family that is the "prize" you take home. A lifetime of memories and a special group of likeminded friends.
