Pain in Spain but I won through again

What a week I had running in Spain on the Al Andalus Ultimate Trail race last week. I knew it was going to test me to the limit - well, it did that and nearly broke me.

- By Kevin Webber

A late start on day one - so the local mayor could see us off - followed by 1,500 ft of nonstop climb for the next seven miles reminded me what a beast this race was.

By the time I got to the first checkpoint it was sweltering and, although the remaining 16 miles were predominantly downhill, the heat and rocky road needed concentration to avoid falling.

As I was approaching the finish black clouds and lightning seemed to be chasing me. Five minutes after I stopped it deluged us all - the first rain on this race in its 16-year history.