A HUSBAND and wife team from the Malvern Buzzards running club completed a unique and gruelling mountain race in just over 24 hours.
Kate and Paul Dolphin started their challenge in the centre of Courmayeur in Italy surrounded by amazing athletes and supporters.
The route took them on a gruelling yet picturesque trail facing Mont-Blanc, travelling through Switzerland and finishing in Chamonix in France.
Just getting to the start line is an incredible accomplishment as by that point participants have already completed a race which provides a running stone plus have a valid UTMB Performance Index. The UTMB Index assesses trail runners on four World Series race categories – 20K, 50K, 100k and 100M .
Those who make it that far are then entered into a lottery.
Kate and Paul – although in separate start waves – managed to find each other and continue the race together. They completed the race in 24 hours, 24 minutes and 51 seconds.
Kate said: “We are delighted to have completed one of the world’s most prestigious races in the running Mecca of the Alps.
“With over 6,000metres of elevation and distance of a 100km across three countries, we were extremely relieved to have finished the UTMB CCC in just over 24 hours.
“The opportunity to run with someone you know is very unusual due to a complex point scoring and ballot system to gain entry, but to do that with my husband is not only unusual but a truly magical experience – we are already talking about next year’s event.”
Malvern Buzzards were able to cheer them on in Malvern as the race was live on television and all family and friends were able to watch them start and see them cross over the finish line.
