EDDUM 2025 Race Report

Race 5 of the 6 race Pegasus Slam series was upon us, and this was the big one, the scary one: the EDDUM.

The EDDUM is a 50 mile ultra marathon that circumnavigates the Epynt Way: a 48 mile loop around the edge of the Sennybridge training area south west of Builth Wells, with another 2 miles to get to/from the start point at a nearby campsite.

The terrain for the majority of the race is rugged, remote, undulating moorland with tricky underfoot conditions. The trails aren't groomed, they are lumpy, your foot rarely lands flat for hours on end. The hills are relentless, and the descents often a difficult endeavour due to the rough ground. This is what makes it so challenging.

For me this was my nemesis race: I'd completed it twice before, once in 2022 and then again in 2024, and both times it had torn me down to a long broken death march hours from the finish. Toeing the line for a third time as part of the Slam I had one aim: finish it well paced and well fuelled, head high and feeling like I'd beaten the route, rather than it beating me.

Prep & Gear

Going for what has worked for me, not taking any risks with this one.

Merrell Agility Peak 5s for the cushion, stability, grip and support. They still impact my big toes a bit however it is mitigated with the Bridgedale T2 LW Merino socks. These are well cushioned and wick water/sweat away nicely without feeling too warm.

Salomon Adv Skin 12 pack as standard, though I don't love the latest model, not as many options for storage and the pockets feel a little more shallow. Still plenty of room for 50 miles of kit. I backed it up with an Instinct Reflex Belt which is a Tardis of a running belt that can fit almost as much as my pack. I used this to store food, salt tablets and my poles.

Talk of poles; as there was a lot of vert I opted to bring my Harrier Helvellyn set. Not a big pole user but thought they may come in handy when the ground got tougher later.

Clothing wise: a Patagonia Capilene Lightweight top, super breathable and light, great for hotter conditions. Happy Stride Shorts as normal, they just work for me, reduce chafing and stay comfy. Especially like their recent Fitness Shorts which are a bit longer with a 7" in-seam (suits my lanky legs a bit better).

Brought some arm warmers and gloves too just in case as it was set to be a cold morning over at Builth Wells.

Fuelling & Pacing

Still haven't nailed my hydration and fuelling, I've stopped trying to use drink mixes like Tailwind or Active Root as I find they all eventually make me feel nauseous, especially if it's a hot day.

This time I went for plain water, with SaltStick Capsules that I would take every 30 mins to give me 500mg sodium/h. I carried SaltStick Fast Chews too in case I felt I needed a little boost of salts.

Food wise I was using Protein Rebel Gels: tasty 2 ingredient maple syrup gels that go down easy, along with Clif and Naak Bars to help fill me up.

I also wanted to spend extra time at aid stations resetting and making sure I left with a belly full of good grub.

Pace wise I would religiously stick to a zone 2 heart rate, with my watch beeping at me if I went into zone 3. I had a heart rate monitor on to improve the accuracy of the alert.

I wouldn't let my ego dictate my pace, wouldn't try to chase others or push hard when being conservative would pay off better.

If I was slower than last year, but came in confidently, that would be a win.

Lining Up & Conditions

Jamie and I drove up from Bristol on the day (we both have young families so camping away is a bit tricky), chatting away and listing to tunes on the journey over.

This year the start was at a camp site outside of Builth Wells, which took about 2 miles off the total distance so it was back to 50 miles, whilst also having a nicer start going through the woodland instead of extra country lanes.

Arrived and it was 6c outside, madness! Got my arm warmers and gloves on to keep the morning chill at bay.

Ben from Sport in Mind was on registration, with Rachel doing kit check and Chris doing merch. Chatted with each of them then got talking to the lovely Running Punks and Slammers coming in. We got a good group photo then lined up for briefing.

Ben gave us a good pre race talk, we counted down, and were off!

Start to Checkpoint 1

We began by running downhill off the start line into a short woodland stretch leaving the campsite. We'd all forget about that downhill until much, much later when we realised that the finish line would be at the top of the hill.

Following this is a long ascent up country lanes to reach the edge of the Epynt Way. From there it was lumpy trails with a bit of fire road before a rough climb up to the first checkpoint for some lush views over the valleys.

Some Punks ended up running in a group up the lane and onto the course til just before checkpoint 1. Will was here smashing his 5th ultra in 5 days as part of his 6 in 6 challenge to do all the Pegasus Slam races consecutively. Still pushing hard and somehow still going strong. (spoilers: Will would, the next day, complete his 6 in 6 challenge, covering 220 miles!)

I was balancing wanting to stay with the group whilst keeping to my race plan of sticking to a zone 2 heart rate. It did mean I rather anti-socially pulled back a few times.

You descend down a valley before coming up the other side into the checkpoint. Here is where I pushed ahead of the punks (heart rate said go 🤷‍♂️)

Talked to Will's parents at the checkpoint and wished them the best for the day ahead.

Headed out eating some homemade brownie with my bottles refilled feeling good.

Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2

The most runnable stretch of the whole course, the vast majority of this is fire roads and country lanes, however the temptation to push hard must be resisted as if you blow your legs up here you'll regret it when the race really begins after checkpoint 2.

Keeping my heart rate in check here and balancing some easily runnable descents with patience to not blow up my legs early.

Fuelling was going well, was sticking to the target HR zone. Kept my ego at bay and didn't try to chase anyone.

A fair few folks went the wrong way up a lane, missing the turning off into the woods, managed to wave down one set.

Builth Wells RC ran the checkpoint, a lovely bunch. Refilled my water and grabbed a snack for the next stretch. Saw Will's parents again here before pressing on.

Checkpoint 2 to Checkpoint 3

Hard stretch with the toughest climb in the race. You leave the checkpoint straight onto a long climb followed by undulating fields leading to the aforementioned killer hill. A long harsh slog up it to a flat boggy stretch then nicely runnable moorland to the wonderful SheRuns midway checkpoint.

Kept my cool and let my heart rate be my guide. Didn't overreact when being passed, let those folk go ahead. I ended up turning my zone 2 alert off mid way through this section, it had done it's job of stopping me going out too hard but was now distracting from being present on the run.

Was definitely starting to feel it though, had drank through all my 1.5L of water by the end and was beginning to feel too hot.

On a gravelly stretch the military had been doing ambush practise, giving us a bit of an obstacle course to content with.

Came into the half way aid station and found it organised by the incredible SheRuns Cardiff. A load of homemade snacks, access to drop bags, folks that couldn't do enough for you. Got me a handful of homemade fudge and rocky road, Gruby got me some fluids, I sat down and reset.

Suncream on, water bottles refilled, tummy full of treats, was feeling the mileage for sure but off I went feeling much, much stronger than last year.

Checkpoint 3 to Checkpoint 4

The toughest section in general: rugged difficult terrain with lots of climbs, where the flats and downs are still tough to run on due to the uneven lumpy ground. A relentless stretch that leads to an aid station nestled midway up a climb on the route.

I had put my poles away by this point; they were getting on my nerves, not really helping on the undulating terrain and more just getting in the way.

The day was getting warmer, the fluids not going in as easily, the food starting to stick in my throat.

My ego started to win out a bit as I chased down Aled then tried to keep up with Richard from TACH (a fellow Bristol based runner with an appetite for some pretty epic adventures).

Talked to Aled for a bit, I'd met him on the PIGUM on that heinous Sugarloaf climb where we talked about the Altra Lone Peaks, his first ultra and how shit the climb was.

Aled was struggling here, it was his second ultra and his hip was giving him issues. Ended up dropping him midway through the stretch. I heard from Tim later that Aled had to pull out at CP4 due to the hip, needed a medic. I hope Aled rebounds and comes back stronger. EDDUM is his nemesis race now.

Soon after was my breaking point. Started to really struggle here, it felt like I was on the cusp of where it had all gone wrong the last two times, in spite of me sticking religiously to my plan, treating the course with respect and focusing on hydrating. A real morale drop here.

Reduced my pace down and just resolved to get to CP4 for a proper rest, trying to remind myself the goal was completing well, not completing fast.

Took my time in CP4: sat down, got a load of fluids in me and made myself stay there until I had 3 different bits of food in me (crisps, a Freddo, and a Peperami stick). Wanted to be sure my core temperature had dropped before pressing on.

Saw Ryan Stephens here and we had a good chat: he was having a tough day too and decided to slow it up and focus on enjoying it rather than chasing the podium.

Saw Russell here too who left looking strong.

Was great to see Dean too who was volunteering on the aid station. Best of luck with the Sirona Dean!

Checkpoint 4 to Checkpoint 5

Another tough section with more of the same rugged ground, same undulating ground, before a country lane leads you in to the checkpoint at the Epynt Way Visitor Center.

Walked up the steep long hill out of the checkpoint letting my food settle. About 20 minutes in I had a great second wind. The food and fluids had kicked in, I felt alive and good to go!

I was so glad to have gotten past my low point earlier than usual.

A lot of dunking my hat in streams here to keep the heat off.

Caught up with Ryan and his friend, along with another runner from the States who'd caught us. We ended up jeffing in and helping each other with navigation towards the visitor center, which really helped with morale. The company was very much appreciated.

Definitely feeling it by the end of this stretch again, overheating a bit and in need of that next break.

Sarah, Bernie and Cath in this checkpoint, wonderful folks all! Sat in the shade for a bit and got some fluids in me. Cath said I looked well fuelled which was an amazing thing to say, was beaming (though probably didn't show it 😂)

Here I realised, looking at my watch, that if I could cover 13k in 2 hours (over this terrain with 40 miles in the legs that is still a challenge), I could make it in under 12 hours.

I refilled my bottles with squash and pushed ahead, eating my snacks on the move.

Checkpoint 5 to Finish

The final push: the rough moorland continues with some character building valleys to content with before turning right (that's right Laura/Tracey/Emily 🙈) off the Epynt Way down the country lanes back to the campsite.

Walked out the aid station and made sure to eat the food I had in my hand. When I got to the top of the first climb I broke into a jog and started pushing myself a bit more.

Ended up catching 2 groups of runners, passing Russell (sorry man), and gaining about 8 positions.

It felt like forever but soon the lane materialised and it was then 6k to the finish. I made a conscious decision here: I could feel myself overheating again, could feel the nausea returning, and knew if I was to hit that lane hard it would hurt, but I really, REALLY wanted that sub-12 hour finish, I wanted to retain those positions I'd just clawed back, I wanted a strong ending.

So off I went, down the lane as hard as my stomach would let me, whispering to myself to hold it together again and again as that lane was never-ending.

Didn't get caught here, kept the position, turned into the woodland leading back to the campsite.

The finish line! And in front of it Rhys has put a long, suddenly very steep looking hill, with everyone at the top cheering you on. Ran (waddled) up it, trying to keep from passing out, to finish in 11 hours 52 minutes, claiming 27th place.

After Action Report

I stuck to my plan, I paced myself well, focused on fuelling and hydrating, I got to the last stage, then went hell for leather and got myself a course PB I am really proud of.

I left it all out there on the course, I had nothing left.

I have beaten my nemesis race, I can put it to rest now (and never return to the Epynt Way 😂)

A funny side note after I'd finished: Chris kindly got me some lemonade, I laid down in the shade and Frank came over to have a chat, we'd previously met at the VOGUM and it was great to see him back for another Pegasus event. He came joint 5th. We talked about him pacing his friend Dave at Badwater, whilst the whole time I felt my stomach slowly telling me I was about to pay for that last 6k hard push. I made my excuses, sipped some lemonade, turned and immediately threw up in front of the volunteers 🤦‍♂️.

Well you can't have everything I suppose 🤷‍♂️

What Went Well

• Pacing and using my heart rate as a guide
• Plain water and salt caps
• Catching myself early when I felt overheated and pulling it back
• Swapping to squash when plain water was tasting stale
• Protein Rebel Gels
• Resting and resetting properly at aid stations when I needed it, leaving with a full belly and plenty of fluids in my system
• Not letting my ego dictate the pace
• Saving my energy for when it could really make a difference at the end
• Agility Peak and Bridgedale combination: one pair of shoes, one pair of socks, 50 miles, no blisters or toe issues
• Instinct Reflex Belt: super useful for stuffing spare food, bottles, layers and poles

What Could Have Gone Better

• Nausea after that last bit push, totally worth it though
• Clif Bars didn't go down easy, didn't touched them after the first section
• Poles: I used them between CP2 and 3, then packed them away for the rest of the day, they didn't help like I thought they might

Damage

• Felt quite nauseous whilst refuelling on Sunday
• Sore legs for sure with some DOMS on Monday
• A little sore under the bottom of my right foot, feels like I stepped on something sharp
• But no blisters, no toe damage, no leg pain

Thank Yous

So so so many amazing volunteers on the start line and aid stations; Builth Wells RC, SheRuns Cardiff, Dean, Sarah, Bernie, Cath, Kaz, Rachel, Ben, Chris and the many many others I've missed.

Race Director Ben from Sport in Mind, really encouraging folks on the day and congratulating them as they finished.

And of course Rhys, Cerys and Nye for putting on this incredible, one of a kind challenge.

Next

I have one more race in the Pegasus Slam, the RIDUM in September, then it's time for a nice long off season before the adventures of 2026 begin!