John Dalzell completed 53-mile Highland Fling Ultra Race for Wales Air Ambulance charity appeal.

*John Dalzell *(above) put in a tremendous effort during his ultra challenge and not only recorded a great new PB time but he was also the 1st Welsh runner.

John Dalzell completed 53-mile Highland Fling Ultra Race for the Welsh Air Ambulance charity appeal.

Report by Don Hale.

 

North Wales Road Runner John Dalzell was celebrating last weekend after completing a gruelling 53-mile international challenge race, including an amazing new PB, whilst also helping to raise vital funds for the Welsh Air Ambulance appeal.

*The Welsh air Ambulance team in action (*above).

The experienced endurance athlete was the 1st Welshman to finish amongst a top-quality international field of 450 starters – with only 315 finishers – during the Highland Fling Ultra Marathon in Scotland.

John was 116th overall and completed this extremely tough course, with 7,187 ft of elevation, in just 11 hours 47 minutes and 52 seconds, knocking a massive 37 minutes of his previous best time. 

*John Dalzell (*above) recorded a new PB of over 37-minutes as 1st Welshman.

The race attracted athletes from over twenty-countries to Scotland’s biggest ultra-marathon race, which started at Milngavie and continued along the West Highland Way to Tyndrum for a spectacular red-carpet finish.

*Some spectacular scenery during John's epic West Highland Trail course.

After the race John confirmed: “Had a really good day. Sub-12-hour was the target, and I went in the 10-12-hour wave, which took me 16-miles to settle, and letting people pass me by keeping to 10-11 miles a minute pace.

“Conic Hill felt easier this time, but I had to wait at Balamaha (19.8) so lost time there and started blowing up. The 30-34-mile feed station was a welcome site, and at the last feed station at 41-miles I had 9:03 on my watch. 12 miles in 3 hours easy-ish, and so happy to finish. Pleased with my time!

“Thanks to everyone who sponsored me to help keep Wales Air Ambulance in the sky, and secondly, it was exactly how I remember it from four-years ago (painful), but it’s still the best race I’ve done. Granddad was a countryman, and I hope I have done him proud today. I also bagged myself a 37-minute PB…so not sure if I’ve got these ultra’s out of my system yet.”

 

*This is John’s Facebook appeal link for the Welsh Air Ambulance:

https://www.facebook.com/donate/300401852186181/10159108308227683/