Epona 100 Kit Breakdown

Luke Merrett -

Pegasus Ultra Running do this wonderful thing where they phone each and every participant of their races a week or so in advance and check if they have any questions or concerns.

We're 12 days out from the Epona and I've just had my phone call. It's lovely. It's also making this all seem very real!

On the positive side though it means it's time for my favourite type of blog post: a nerdy deep dive into the kit I'll be bringing on the day!

Below is everything I'll have on me when standing on the start line, with a break down of the kit & reasons I chose it.

Pack

Starting with the tardis that is my race vest: the Salomon Adv Skin 12 is unbeatable in my eyes for carrying all the kit I'll need on the day. Comfy, easy to adjust, plenty of stretchy pockets and generally robust.

This one's looking a little bashed up after being worn throughout training, but it's done me well so far with no complaints.

Day Clothing

The gear I'll be wearing on me at the start.

A Running Punks top of course: this one the newest Run DMC inspired variant I've kept fresh for the day. Gotta rep the club.

Happy Stride shorts have always served me well and the newer models have more storage with 2 side pockets and a larger zip pocket at the back. They come with a liner to keep things comfy and are super lightweight.

A new VAGA short peak hat on my head to keep the sun at bay. These fold easily and can be stowed for the night time, whilst also being basically bulletproof. I've not thrown away a single one yet and I don't treat them well.

I have a set of Castelli Nano Flex arm warmers to help hold off the morning chill (we're starting at 06:00). Doubtful I'll need them on for long but we climb Sugarloaf pretty early and it's breezy up there.

A Harrier/Pegasus buff to go round my wrist for wiping off sweat & other gunk.

Bridgedale Lightweight T2 Merino Sport socks: of all the socks I've tried over the years these have worked the best. Heavily cushioned with merino wool ensuring they wick well. These keep me comfy longer than other socks, my main worry is they are pretty heavy for summer running and may be a little too sweaty on the day. I've got thinner ones in the drop bag in case that causes issues, and will be using anti-chafe across my toes.

Night / Cold / Wet Clothing

Originally I thought this would just be for required kit emergency purposes, but after spending a summer night on the Black Mountains I can confirm it still gets real cold after the sun goes down.

A Brooks Notch Thermal Hoodie as a backup warm layer. The thermal properties mean it's as warm as a fleece without the weight. Stick it under a windproof layer and it's nice and cosy.

Ronhill Classic liner gloves which are warmer than they have any right to be for the weight. These will go on if the chill sets in at night. As a backup if it rains or gets very windy I've also got Montane Prism Mitts; both wind and waterproof, which pack down tiny in their stuff sack.

A Petzl Actik Core headtorch, same one I've had for years with no need to replace. It's medium setting will last all night, whilst the higher setting will help navigating treacherous ground. Taking 2 spare battery packs for it just in case.

For waterproofs I've got a Montane Nano jacket and Craghoppers Packaway Overtrousers. I doubt I'll be using the trousers unless I get in a bad spot, however the bin bag style coat was invaluable when the wind picked up overnight.

Emergency Gear

Things I may need, and things I really hope I won't need.

The small ziplock is my blister kit, I've taken it's contents out of the Dragons Back Blister Treatment Kit, with the rest of said kit in my drop bag.

Squirrel's Nut Butter is my anti-chafe of choice, easy to apply with natural ingredients. I combine it with zinc tape for my nips and it completely stops chafing.

I use a Solar Buddy for sun cream: designed for kids it makes it easy to quickly apply it without getting your hands gunked up.

Tissues incase nature calls.

A small Anker power bank to keep my phone and watch charged.

A Harrier Survival Bag purely for emergencies. If I get hurt and need to wait for help it'll keep me warm and sheltered.

An obsidian heart from the wonderful Katja Patton to absorb negative energy.

A Eurohike microfleece towel which I appreciate is a strange addition. It's because I got my hands soaked on an ultra before in the freezing cold and my gloves wouldn't go back on. Having something to dry them was all I wanted in the world.

A Lifesystems first aid kit to supplement the blister kit in case I get hurt.

A full physical compass in case the phone runs out of battery, the watch dies, and I'm stuck somewhere between Crickhowell and Abergavenny. Required kit.

Finally a full size whistle in case of emergencies.

It'll all be packed away in this dry bag to keep any rain and sweat off.

Hydration

How I'm keeping on top of my water and sodium levels.

Two HydraPak UltraFlask Speeds for carrying water, plus a backup to carry extra when needed between checkpoints, for a total of 1.5L capacity.

In each I'll be aiming to use Precision Hydration 500 tablets (250mg salt to 500ml water) with extra sodium coming from my food. The Salt Stick caps (220mg salt per cap) are a backup I've found useful in the past if my stomach starts disliking the taste of the tablets dissolved in water.

I'll bring a water filter too, the Salomon XA, for sourcing water safely from the mountains if I run out.

For the aid stations I'll have a soft cup; packs down tiny and gives you a container for liquid. I do have a better more rigid collapsible cup but have found it's a little too bulky to carry & I'm already bursting at the seams here.

Nutrition

I'll be carrying the below to the first drop bag site, where I'll have a bag ready with the next stash of food.

Each of these is 1 hours worth of fuel and I have found they worked well for me in the past. Veloforte bars are pressed fruit and nuts, all real food and very tasty. Tough to get down but you can feel the energy inside them. Their chews are the same but easier to eat on the move, and the Voom bars give a real sugar kick when I need it.

I'll also have one "comfort food" in each bag to cheer me up when feeling low, and will eat what I feel like at each aid station.

Shoes!!

Last but absolutely not least, the shoe choice for the day!

These are the Merrell Agility Peak 5s sporting the Running Punks colours of Black and Pink 🖤😍💖. Been saving these for race day after getting through 4 pairs since last summer.

The Vibram Megagrip underfoot will give me confidence over the technical terrain, whilst the plushy midsole is going to help reduce fatigue over the harder surfaces of the mountains.

I find they lock down well with a heel lock and keep my happy for many an hour.

Drop Bag

I'll have a drop bag that travels with me to checkpoint 2, 5 and 6 carrying a set of supplies and backups in case I need them, namely:

  • Nutrition for each stage in seperate bags
  • Spare clothes (coat, warm layer, top, shorts, socks, gloves, hat)
  • Harrier Helvellyn Carbon Z Poles - opted not to use poles during the race, I don't get on with the faff of them, but want the option in case I'm really struggling in the later stages
  • Spare head torch, water bottle and race vest just incase
  • Extra anti chafe, zinc tape, a full blister kit
  • Altra Lone Peak 7 shoes - in case I get any issues in the Merrells and need to change to something very different. These have a very forgiving fit
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste - I've been told it helps a surprising amount in the later stages to "reset" you
  • A cuddly toy

Closing Thoughts

Those who know me know I obsess about this sort of stuff, so it feels great to be finally locked in with the kit choices and (mildly) confident in the gear I'm taking.

...Is there anything I've missed?! 👀