The Challenge The Green Man ultra is a 45 mile running event around Bristol, that broadly follows the Forest Community Path, and this year seven GoodGym runners decided to enter the race with some persuasion we all made it to the start line on the first Saturday in March.

Woodwose: Anybody who conquers the 45 mile Green Man Challenge around the Community Forest Path is termed a Woodwose, from the Old English wuduwāsa or wood-being, regardless of gender. Woodwose is the proper name for the wild men and wild women that haunted the imaginary forests of medieval Europe and is entirely appropriate for anyone mad enough to conquer the Community Forest Path.

The Supporters aka the Cheer Team This being GoodGym we had to have a support team and cheer squad which is no mean feat for a 45 mile loop of Bristol and ensuring supporters were in the right place to cheer some of the team on, especially as we got more spread out as the race continued.

I was amazed to see 19 people in the Cheer team WhatsApp group, and all the runners commented how amazing it is to see GoodGym supporters pop up at moments throughout the race whenever they needed a lift. And equally knowing there were two huge focal points and therefore a Red Thunder roar helped motivate me as the running got tough.

The Results

Matt – 7:43
Shona – 8:53
Danica – 9:58
Alison – 10:13
Alice – 10:45
Paul – 10:45
Nick – 11:11

Ros - 5:38 - for Green Boy - 30 miles (3rd Lady!)

The commentary/context To put these achievements in context, my time took an hour and fifteen off my time two years ago and puts me within the top 30 fastest known times for running the route. Shona is within the top 25 ladies’ fastest known times ever. Danica, Alice and Paul had never completed an ultra before and have just run further than they ever have in their lives. And Alison and Nick did awesome too struggling through the conditions. Last but by no means least, Ros won a trophy!

Well done Woodwose’s be very proud of your achievements, and thank you support team we couldn't done it without you.

Stories and comments from the race

Danica

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I did it!!!! In 9 hours and 58 minutes!! (And it was 46 miles) My goal was 11 hours!! Will write more later but thanks @goodgym cheer squad for all your support!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by Danica Priest (@danicapriest) on Mar 2, 2019 at 10:31am PST

Alison

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I ran the Green Man Ultra (46 miles) in 10 hours 13 minutes and now I’m a Woodwose 😁.

A post shared by Alison Davidson (@alisdavidson) on Mar 2, 2019 at 2:42pm PST

Alice

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1/365 47 miles run ✅ and the start of a new 365 project! Now, time to go see #jonhopkins! #greenmanultra #ultrarunning #firstultra #365project

A post shared by Alice Whale (@alicethewhale) on Mar 2, 2019 at 12:13pm PST

Quotes from Cheer team and runners

Great. Well done all and we'll done support team x Kim

So ruddy inspired by this today! 😭 Proud of and chuffed for you all! ☺ in the end I wasn’t able to make the cheering squad (lots of running around today, exhausted, feel like I’ve run a mara- ... oh..) but it was lovely to follow with the updates from the GG support squad and see all the pictures of you looking happy and STRAWNG! 💪 Fi

The Green Man came, and you conquered! Everyone of you runners - amazing stuff today.👏 How much have you guys talked about it...and you smashed it. Really inspiring. Proud to be part of Bristol GoodGym. Laura

Well done to everyone who did the green man, you’re all amazing! You’ve all inspired me to...be part of the cheer squad next year 😂 VND

All the runners out today were amazing. Was great to see you and I hope you are relaxing now. Something to be really proud of. Rich

Incredible achievement! Well done everyone! 😁 Jon

Runners testimonies

And well done again everyone - amazing efforts all round. The Summer one next? I think the cheer squad have set the bar really high - one of my highlights of yesterday was seeing them And frazzle man at Easter Compton. 😀 Nick

My highlights were:
1. Goodgymers
2. Watermelon near Three Brooks.
3.ponies
So that’s how amazing everyone was! Danica

Thanks sooo much for all the support today. I really thought I wouldn't be able to make it today and was resigned to pulling out (or walking all night!). It means so much that you all gave up your Saturdays and travelled all over Bristol to cheer us on - honestly couldn't have done it without you all! Was so emotional to finally get over the line. You're all brilliant. PB Snr.