2015 NDW100 Pre Race Preview

A quick fly through the possible contenders for the title of Champion at the 5th edition of the North Downs Way 100. Race Start Sat 8th August at 0600.

The Course Records at this event belong to Ed Catmur, 15:44 from 2013 and Alice Hector who ran 20:10 in 2012, a time which stands 1:44 faster than any other lady on this course. 

Men's Field

Ed Catmur: Ed is the existing course record holder and has run the event 3 times, finishing 4th, 3rd and 1st. Last year was a slower race for him as he faded to a 19:44 but he rarely stops and has marched out a few 100s rather than simply drop, to his credit. When he raced Anthony Forsyth in 2013 to the only ever sub 16hr time on this course, he ran a brilliant race and with the strength of a few behind him, may get pushed to do the same again here. This year he's already raced 3 100 milers, finishing 1st at the Spine Challenger and the Jackpot 100 in Nevada, going on to pick up 2nd at the Malvern Hills 100 in May. Recently he dropped from the Dragon's Back but perhaps that will leave him in better shape for this race.

Peter Kaminsky: Always smiling, Peter was our SDW100 champ in June of this year. He is a prolific racer with almost 100 Ultras behind him in the last 6 years, including many victories. Perhaps most notably his win last year at the 230km Tour de Ruhr, and a sub 30hr Spartathlon finish. He is running the Grand Slam and currently sits around an hour ahead of Dave Ross' 2014 GS Record.

Peter with his trophy after winning the SDW100 back in June

Luke Ashton: We've seen Luke run a number of Centurion 100s in the past but he recently turned in one of his best with a 2nd to Peter at the 2015 SDW100 in a superb 16:52. That coupled with his 8th here last year put him in great shape to step up from two 2nd places at our events, to his first win.

David Pryce: 2nd at the 2014 TP100, David was pushing Ed Catmur all the way in the final stages of that event and I am sure the man who also won the 2014 Piece of String Fun Run will want to push for the win here. 

Oliver Sinclair: Ollie has been on the circuit for almost 10 years now and has results to his name which impress. He's won Caesars Camp 50, The Pilgrim Challenge on this very trail and had the Hardmoors 55 Course record until Kim Collinson bettered it this year. He ran the NDW50 back in May to a top 10 and has recently returned from Davos. We will see whether he can push the other four (and perhaps others) this weekend....

Ladies Field

Sally Ford: So far in 2015, Sally has raced the TP100 and SDW100 and won them both. She has come in to her own this year after steady improvement in results. As a Grand Slammer I am sure she has her eyes on 4 victories but this may be her sternest challenge yet in what is, time-wise, our toughest course.

Elisabet Barnes: Elisabets win at this years MDS catapulted her in to the main stream so I am not sure if this race will still feature in her calendar, however it would be great to see what she can do if she runs. She has raced four ultras in 2015 and won them all - nothing yet as long as 100 miles....

Wendy Shaw: I mention Wendy every time. 10 Centurion 100 milers, 8 podiums, Grand Slam record holder - but as yet no win. She will be looking to get revenge on this course after last year where she heartbreakingly but sensibly decided to stop at Dunn Street with just 4 miles to go. 

If you'd like to mention someone who is missing please do so by commenting below. The website homepage will change to show the live results feed link from this Friday.