DENISE Poole, of Wellington Running Club, has completed her first ultra marathon.

Run to the Sea race 50km (30 miles) was held in Dorset and started in Ringwood – a point-to-point event which would end in Bournemouth.

A Covid-19 registered event meant runners started in pens of six to allow social distancing. Denise was off and running at 7am on a bitterly cold morning. Two fast 10km sections along the Castelman Trail were done. The route then headed into Poole before following the coast path to Hengistbury Head.

These ten miles proved to be tough. Pancake flat and long straights are not a runner’s best friend. Some elevation allows other muscles to work. However, at 26.2 Denise got a personal best over the marathon distance.

Onto 30 miles and the finish – well that what was expected but the race had other ideas. Two bonus miles finished over sand dunes and finally the finish line at 7hrs 17mins.