Honorary membership of UNIX Budapest

I am honoured to have been enrolled as an honorary member of the Hungarian athletics club UNIX Budapest.  They have a number of world class ultra runners as members and just one other non-Hungarian member.

myRace Feature

Had a marvellous six page feature in the January/February edition of myRace magazine “The Running Magazine for Scotland”.  The feature is accompanied by a great range of photos by Alan Young.

The article resulted from an interview I gave the editor, just after the Spartathlon,  in early October.

Citizen of the Year 2007?

Following a popular vote, organised by the Orkney Today newspaper, I have been notified that I am one of 5 people nominated for the “Citizen of the Year” honour.

This award goes to the resident of Orkney considered to have “helped improve Orkney’s lot or been a shining exampleto others in the year 2007″.

Final voting now takes place with the result being announced at an awards ceremony on February 28th.

 

2007 - My best ever?

With three life time best performances at 48 hours, 6 days and in the Spartathlon surely 2007 must be my best year ever since I started ultra running in 1994.  These performances included another overseas, outright victory (Monaco 6 day) and my first national record (48hrs).

In addition my 11 year battle with nausea and vomiting problems has now ended as I have eventually elucidated all the answers and have now completed two events with no GI problems - each resulting in huge personal bests.

Here’s to 2008.

3 week break

I have just completed my much needed 21 day end of season break.  Conveniently situated after the 6 day race to allow for a good rest after this extraordinary event.  I do cross training during my break and in fact reviewed some elements of this, but no running is allowed!  This time the break coincided with our busiest time of the year in our mail order business so rest was rather hard to find.

My recovery from Monaco has been pretty good and I’m keen to start running again and gradually build up my training ready for my first competition at the end of March. 

Recent TV coverage

Recently had a 2 minute feature on national TV - watch it here http://www.stv.tv/content/news/headlines/display.html?id=opencms:/news/newArticle8792075

Final result: Monaco 6 Day race

I continued my impressive run of form by recording a huge personal best of 807.610km/502 miles when winning the Monaco Six Day race for the second successive year despite adverse weather conditions. I became only the 3^rd Scot ever to go over 500 miles in a Six Day race since records began in the 1800’s.   Coming from behind I worked my way up the field to overhaul French 24 Hour National Champion Claude Hardel and former Antibes Six Day race winner Christophe Laborie, eventually establishing a lead of over 62 miles over the second placed finisher.

Monaco Six Day 2007 - Race Updates

 

Updates will appear here from Nov 17th to 23rd approx twice a day.

Thanks to Johanna of Orcadia Design.

The Monaco “No Finish Line” event comprises a 6 day, 8 day and a 24hr event.  The majority of runners, but not William, will continue to complete the 8 day event.

Updates:

23/11/07 - 9.46

Weather still terrible, but William incredibly sets a new Personal Best with still 9 hours to go. He now sets his sight on 800 km and continues the battle. 

22/11/07 - 16.32

Another terrible day weather wise, but incredible performance  to take the lead and at 685 km (426 miles) the battle continues towards a Personal Best. 

21/11/07 - 17.32

Day 4 (96 hours) sees continued storms and now rain. Distance covered: 576 km (358 miles). 

21/11/07 - 01.57

It’s now 84 hours into the race and time for a short sleep and a short rest from battling with the wind. Still within touching distance of the record now. Distance covered: 506 km (314 miles).

20/11/07 - 13.10

From just before daybreak the sea breeze has stiffened greatly making it very hard and it will require an enormous effort to keep the record in sight. Covered 447 km (278 miles) in 72 hours, half way. 

20/11/07 - 03.00

Good hard work before a short sleep is keeping William’s progress on target. Now past 60 hours covering 376 km (234 miles).

19/11/07 - 14.25

Good progress as William passes 48 hours covering 329 km (204 miles).

19/11/07 - 02.27

Excellent first 36 hours, going very well and feel comfortable. Distance: 255 km (158 miles). Milder tonight at 10C at night with still only a slight sea breeze. Still very early, and still slightly ahead of target.

18/11/07 - 14.14

Excellent first day, going very well and feel comfortable. Distance: 184 km (114 miles). 8C at night with only a slight sea breeze. Very early, and slightly ahead of target.

BBC to cover 6 day record attempt

 

BBC Radio Orkney will carry updates from my first British record attempt in Monaco from November 17^th -23^rd.  They will report on my progress in their morning news programme “Around Orkney” from Monday to Friday.  Listen again here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland/programmes/orkney/

Surgeres Invitation

 

I’m delighted to report that I have accepted an invitation to compete in the prestigious Surgeres 48 Hour race in France next May.  The venue for many of the great 48 hour performances over the years it is a great honour to be asked to run in this invitation-only event.