Over 250 runners took part in Ealing’s first-ever ultramarathon in was held on Saturday.
The inaugural Queen of the Suburbs Ultra saw participants tackle a 50-kilometre course through the trails, footpaths, parks and towpaths of Ealing and the surrounding area.
A 25-kilometre route was also available.
The course begun in Gunnersbury Park before taking other Ealing sights such as Horsenden Hill, Hanwell Viaduct and the Grand Union Canal.
The race ended at Dickens Yard in Central Ealing, where participants touched the Smile Monument aka the Ealing Rock at its entrance in officially finish.
Black Girls Do Run Founder Tasha Thompson, who ran the 25-kilometre run, said: “If all running events were placed onto a crown, The Queen of the Suburbs Ultra was the missing jewel.”
Tasha, who volunteered on the registration desk before starting the run, added: “It was well thought out, well organised, and a joy to be a volunteer and a participant.”
Participants came from as far as Washington DC and Jersey, as well as throughout London and the south east.
But many of the runners hailed from Ealing, including Ealing Eagles Running Club member Jay Kaye who was running his first ultramarathon.
Jay said “The Queen of the Suburbs Ultra was a great adventure and the perfect way to experience my first ultramarathon.
“It was a lovely trail route through parts of Ealing I had never previously explored, the route was clearly marked and easy to navigate throughout.”
Local running charity We Run Ealing who are the community arm of the award-winning Ealing Half Marathon were the event’s organisers.
Ealing’s Running Mayor Tom Kerry stated that they were delighted to host the first Queen of the Suburbs Ultra after four years in the making.
He thanked runners, volunteers and all those in helping to make the event such a great success.
Over 60 volunteers assisted with the event in administrating participants, managing checkpoints and aid stations, marking the route for runners and handing out medals at the end of the race to runners.
Any leftover food or drink from the different stations will be donated to the Ealing Food Bank.
An ultramarathon is the term given for any race whose length that goes beyond the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles or 42.2 kilometres.
For people that are interested in next year’s event please visit the website: https://www.queenofthesuburbsultra.com
Featured Image Credit: Queen of the Suburbs Ultra on behalf of We Run Ealing
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