103 kilometers covered, 6400 meters of elevation, over 100,000 steps taken and 10,936 calories burned, in just over 26 hours...
On May 11th everyone at SPORTTAPE HQ was glued to their mobiles, fixated on a little dot, tracking and wondering whether our chief packer, Edison Griffiths, would become the youngest person to finish the UTS 100km.
Here's Edison's story. Learn how a (just) 20-year-old, with no prior running experience conquered the hardest 100km trial race in the UK. Armed with equal measures of determination, bravery and naivety (A.K.A youthful enthusiasm).
EDISON'S JOURNEY TO UTS GLORY
WHO IS EDISON GRIFFITHS?
Just a 20-year-old from Ystrad Mynach. To the naked eye that is.
Edison is a die-hard Manchester United fan with a personality that is unmatched by anyone else around him. He loves a quick trip abroad, but will cancel any and all plans if United have a game on the tele. That should tell you all you need to know about his commitment.
SPORTTAPE'S CHIEF PACKER
Since starting with SPORTTAPE in December of 2022, Edison has progressed from warehouse packer to semi-self-proclaimed Chief Packer. Chances are, if you've recieved a parcel from SPORTTAPE at any point over the past year and a half, it's most likely been packed by him.
Edison keeps us all enternained on a day-to-day basis with his outlandish sense of humour and that's why when he explained to us all in June 2023 that he'd just signed up for a 100km ultra-marathon up Snowdonia, all of us in the SPORTTAPE office thought it was a joke.
FROM RUNNING 5KS TO BOSSING ULTRA MARATHONS
Some people have a long background in running, or general fitness, before committing to a challenge quite like UTS, but not Edison.
On what can only be described as a whim and a dream, he paid his entry fees and signed up for an ultra-marathon. An ultra-marathon that would require months and months of training and dedication. For some background, Edison was not a particularly seasoned runner.
He'd run, of course, but nowhere near to the level required to complete his race. Despite this, it didn't take him long to show just how unique he is. In October 2023 he ran his first half marathon in Cardiff and finished in a time of 1 hour and 29 minutes. For his first half marathon...
Days, weeks and months of training proved to all be worth it when he eventually made it to start line in Snowdonia.
WHAT IS THE UTS RACE?
"Starting on Saturday morning, UTS 100K covers the highlights of the mountainous areas of northern Eryri/Snowdonia, taking in countless stunning trails, technical ridges and epic views over its 103kms."
In 2023, 630 people entered and of that 630, only about 400 completed it. Bearing in mind that DNF rate is usually higher. You have 32 hours to complete it and, as well as covering the 103kms of racing distance, you're also climbing 6400+ metres of elevation.
This is a race that would make 99% of the planet run screaming and that's what makes Edison's achievement that much more remarkable. c
Around over its 103kms.
POST-RACE Q&A
After Edison heroically completed the race and became the youngest ever finisher of the 100km distance, we had to ask him all about it.
WHAT MADE YOU SIGN UP FOR UTS ORIGINALLY?
As it was my first ultra-race, I wanted to challenge myself, and UTS was the perfect way to do it. I'd heard about this race before and was keen to do an event that was part of the UTMB World Race Series. I could definitely tell I wasn't part of the traditional age demographic, but it was still fun.
HOW DID YOUR RACE DAY START?
I woke up at 3am, ready for a 5am race start. Started the day with my absolute favourite bagels and jam before getting all my kit on. Running pack, watch and all my essentials I had to carry with me. 4:30am, I'm at the startline which is when the nerves started to kick in...
WHAT DID YOU HAVE IN YOUR BAG?
Even though it was the hottest day of the year so far, I still had to have my waterproof coat, trousers, and mandatory kit with me. I had my head-torch with me for the running section and lots of snacks. Although there was food at the checkpoints on UTS, I wasn't keen to stop for long. So I packed my bag full of flapjacks and carb mix. However, I quickly decided that this was gross, so switched to Coca-Cola at checkpoints.
WHO WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR WANTING TO COMPLETE UTS?
It might sound corny, but the people who I work with inspire me everyday. SPORTTAPE team member, Ieuan, has a long and varied history with running, so kindly wrote me a training plan. He also encouraged me to initially sign up for UTS. This was grueling, but so so useful for the race.
On Instagram, I follow Andrew Glaze who post inspirational content on his four year streak of running 100+ miles per week. I also love Jonny Davies, a British ultra runner supported by Lululemon.
Finally, how could I forget David Goggins. A retired US Navy SEAL. He has a very no bsh*t attitude. His quotes can be found in SPORTTAPE HQ to inspire the rest of the team too.
DID YOU USE ANY SPORTTAPE?
During UTS, I had a roll of SPORTTAPE Zinc Oxide in my bag. But thankfully didn't need to use it for any pre-existing injuries. I did get blisters about halfway through though, so taped my feet up with the Zinc Oxide and powered on through.
WHAT WAS THE BEST MOMENT DURING THE RACE?
So throughout the race, I saw the sunrise whilst on Snowdon and chatted rubbish with other competitors. However, the funniest moment was my mum almost getting me disqualified. I come running down in the last 300 meters, and she comes onto the course so she can run with me to the finish! Competitors aren't allowed outside help so it was definitely not allowed!
WHAT'S NEXT ON THE HORIZON?
I have my eyes on the Dragons Back in 2025. It's considered to be the toughest mountain race in the world, but being from Wales, I think I could hack it. Competitors race from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle over 6 days running over welsh icons like Crib Goch, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan.
EDISON'S FINAL STATS:
- 103km covered🏃
- 6400+ elevation climbed🗻
- 160,000 steps👟
- 26 hours, 19 minutes, 59 seconds⏰
- Several flapjacks eaten🍫
We'd like to finish by saying a massive congratulations to Edison on his achievement. Everyone inside and outside of the SPORTTAPE team will be keeping a close eye on whatever he decides to do next...
If you have any questions for Edison or maybe you've just bought some tape and have a question for us, get in touch! We're happy to help.
