{"id":93249,"date":"2025-02-18T16:09:29","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T16:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=93249"},"modified":"2025-02-18T16:09:31","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T16:09:31","slug":"i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line&#8217;: The unstoppable rise of ultra running"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The winner of this year&#8217;s 43-mile Brecon to Cardiff Classic explains why he loves the sport<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>WHEN Sam Humphrey crossed the finishing line to win a 43-mile ultra run from Brecon to Cardiff his wife, kids and parents were there to congratulate him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line,\u201d said Mr Humphrey, aged 39. \u201cIt was really special.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He completed the mountainous ultra course in a rapid 5hrs 25mins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But rather than being an elite professional athlete, the Penarth and Dinas Runners club member is a father of two who went back to his day job in communications for a health board on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He is one of a growing number of amateur runners taking on ever more extreme challenges as the ultra-running culture expands.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This year, more than 350 competitors entered the 11th Brecon to Cardiff Classic, organised by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.runwalkcrawl.co.uk\">Run, Walk, Crawl<\/a>, and is among the most popular in the UK ultra running scene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"831\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2-1024x831.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-93288 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2-1024x831.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2-300x243.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2-770x625.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2-293x238.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2.png 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"831\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2-1024x831.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-93288 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2-1024x831.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2-300x243.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2-770x625.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2-293x238.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Nb1Oc-brecon-to-cardiff-classic-route-2.png 1240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A further 164 people completed Brecon to Cardiff Xtreme, a more mountainous cross-country variation of the race held on the same day. The route summits 11 peaks between Brecon and Cardiff with a massive 2,680m of elevation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTrail and ultra running is becoming more accessible,\u201d said Mr Humphrey. \u201cPeople don\u2019t see it as this exclusive thing anymore.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn the past, it was probably more of a fringe activity\u2014people would have thought you were mad\u2014but now participation is so high that not just a hardcore few.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Left: <strong>The route of the Brecon to Cardiff Classic<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The term \u2018ultramarathon\u2019 generally refers to any race over the length of 50km, and can come in many shapes and forms \u2013 including the six-day, 251km Marathon des Sables across the Sahara, and the multi-stage Dragon\u2019s Back race that runs 380km down the spine of Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/statistik.d-u-v.org\">Participation continues to grow,<\/a> especially among women. In 2010, there were 1,033 female ultramarathon runners in the UK, which had increased to 10,321 by 2024\u2014a rise of 899%. Male participation also grew by 558%, from 3,892 in 2010 to 25,596 in 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The UK has <a href=\"https:\/\/statistik.d-u-v.org\">seen a sharp rise<\/a> in the number of ultra events, from 74 in 2010 to 346 in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultra running continues to grow in popularity, with races like Brecon to Cardiff regularly selling out. Organisers such as Run, Walk, Crawl have extended cut-off times to allow people of varying abilities to take part.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2040\" height=\"910\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-93291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3.png 2040w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-1024x457.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-770x343.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-1536x685.png 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-500x223.png 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-293x131.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-1400x625.png 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2040px) 100vw, 2040px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2040\" height=\"910\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-93291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3.png 2040w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-1024x457.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-770x343.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-1536x685.png 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-500x223.png 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-293x131.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/nHBnq-uk-ultra-marathon-participation-since-2010-3-1400x625.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2040px) 100vw, 2040px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn an ultra, everyone is doing something extreme,\u201d said Mr Humphrey. \u201cIt\u2019s a common interest, so you feel that shared challenge. There\u2019s a real sense of camaraderie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After completing the 2015 Berlin Marathon in a fast 2hrs 25mins, Mr Humphrey decided to start training for ultra distances instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen you\u2019re training for a fast road marathon, you\u2019re always on edge. The intensity is very high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith an ultra, the focus is on volume. It\u2019s more enjoyable, and there is less risk of injury.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"660\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-93296 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2.png 660w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2-293x293.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2-390x390.png 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-93296 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2.png 660w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2-293x293.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2-390x390.png 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Image2-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr Humphrey is a member of <a href=\"https:\/\/penarthanddinasrunners.co.uk\">Penarth and Dinas Runners<\/a>: \u201cThe club has been very supportive \u2013 they\u2019re all so lovely. Everyone\u2019s going through the same experience, no matter their ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;To distract myself from the pain, I focus on my running form\u2014imagining the perfect runner, like Kipchoge, smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019ll never look like the greats, but you can feel like them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis landscape helps too. The canal was beautiful first thing in the morning, as well as the reservoirs before Merthyr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Left: <strong>Sam Humphrey.<\/strong> Image: James Bessant Davies<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are five checkpoints along the route, with water refill points and food. The last stop in Pontypridd even has the option of battered sausage and chips-an option that Mr Humphrey declined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, he fuelled with Clif bars and blackberry sports gels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t quite get my nutrition right. Five Clif bars are a few too many. Next time I might aim for some variety.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"Brecon to Cardiff Classic 2025\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/25TZsaBUY-4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"Brecon to Cardiff Classic 2025\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/25TZsaBUY-4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Atmosphere and scenery from the Brecon to Cardiff Classic 2025.<\/strong> James Bessant Davies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read more: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/01\/31\/ultra-friends-are-losing-sleep-over-marathon-50-hour-run-to-support-asylum-seekers\/\">Ultra friends are losing sleep over marathon 50-hour run to support asylum seekers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2024\/11\/19\/penarth-couple-who-met-at-running-club-and-honeymooned-on-wine-marathon-are-in-it-for-the-long-run\/\">Penarth couple who met at running club and honeymooned on wine marathon are in it for the long run<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/14\/men-turn-out-to-support-female-runners-who-feel-unsafe-when-out-at-night\/\">Men turn out to support female runners who feel unsafe when out at night<\/a> &nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr Humphrey finished more than nine minutes ahead of the second-place finisher, and he was not the only runner from Penarth and Dinas Runners to compete.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His club-mate Jacob Williams finished the Xtreme variant in an impressive 11hrs 11min, securing 63<sup>rd<\/sup>&nbsp;place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Mr Humphrey, the appeal of the extreme events is straightforward: \u201cIf you love running, you just want to keep running.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&#8216;Survival instincts kick in&#8217;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>by James Bessant Davies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-93341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-93341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Penarth-Station-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Theatr Brycheiniog and Brecon Canal Basin &#8211; the start of the Brecon to Cardiff Classic.<\/strong> James Bessant Davies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s no better way to cover a race than to run it yourself and I finished the Brecon to Cardiff Classic in 7hrs 17mins, taking 28<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;position.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was my first ultra event, and I was really struck by the community and friendliness of the other runners. When someone passes you, the courtesy is to ask: \u2018how are you doing?\u2019, \u2018how are you holding up?\u2019.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a mindset of \u2018we\u2019re all in this together\u2019, unlike the competitive nature of shorter road races. The goal tends to be finishing, with the only real competition being against yourself.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the period of the race your mind doesn\u2019t focus on the pressures of day-to-day life, but survival instincts come back. Food, water \u2013 warmth. It acts like a hard reset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The beauty of long-distance running is that it&#8217;s simple \u2013 you have to get from A to B, and nothing else matters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Cardiffian is <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/thecardiffian.bsky.social\">now on BlueSky<\/a>. Find us here, as well as on our existing socials.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-bluesky  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/thecardiffian.bsky.social\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.3,4.2c2.3,1.7,4.8,5.3,5.7,7.2.9-1.9,3.4-5.4,5.7-7.2,1.7-1.3,4.3-2.2,4.3.9s-.4,5.2-.6,5.9c-.7,2.6-3.3,3.2-5.6,2.8,4,.7,5.1,3,2.9,5.3-5,5.2-6.7-2.8-6.7-2.8,0,0-1.7,8-6.7,2.8-2.2-2.3-1.2-4.6,2.9-5.3-2.3.4-4.9-.3-5.6-2.8-.2-.7-.6-5.3-.6-5.9,0-3.1,2.7-2.1,4.3-.9h0Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Bluesky<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-twitter  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cardiffdogshome\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M22.23,5.924c-0.736,0.326-1.527,0.547-2.357,0.646c0.847-0.508,1.498-1.312,1.804-2.27 c-0.793,0.47-1.671,0.812-2.606,0.996C18.324,4.498,17.257,4,16.077,4c-2.266,0-4.103,1.837-4.103,4.103 c0,0.322,0.036,0.635,0.106,0.935C8.67,8.867,5.647,7.234,3.623,4.751C3.27,5.357,3.067,6.062,3.067,6.814 c0,1.424,0.724,2.679,1.825,3.415c-0.673-0.021-1.305-0.206-1.859-0.513c0,0.017,0,0.034,0,0.052c0,1.988,1.414,3.647,3.292,4.023 c-0.344,0.094-0.707,0.144-1.081,0.144c-0.264,0-0.521-0.026-0.772-0.074c0.522,1.63,2.038,2.816,3.833,2.85 c-1.404,1.1-3.174,1.756-5.096,1.756c-0.331,0-0.658-0.019-0.979-0.057c1.816,1.164,3.973,1.843,6.29,1.843 c7.547,0,11.675-6.252,11.675-11.675c0-0.178-0.004-0.355-0.012-0.531C20.985,7.47,21.68,6.747,22.23,5.924z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cardiffiannews\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCardiffian\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The winner of this year&#8217;s 43-mile Brecon to Cardiff Classic explains the joy of extreme running<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1206,"featured_media":93254,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,15,4],"tags":[1291,8869,382,9012,9013,339],"coauthors":[8784],"class_list":["post-93249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-penarth-g-q","category-sport","tag-cardiff-2","tag-penarth-and-dinas-runners","tag-running","tag-ultra-running","tag-ultramarathon","tag-wales"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>&#039;I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line&#039;: The unstoppable rise of ultra running - The Cardiffian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sam Humphrey claimed victory in the gruelling 43-mile Brecon to Cardiff Classic, finishing in 5 hrs 25 mins. The race, which winds through the Brecon Beacons and along the Taff Trail, saw over 350 competitors take part. Mr Humphrey, a member of Penarth and Dinas Runners, praised the sport\u2019s growing inclusivity: \u201cUltra running isn\u2019t exclusive\u2014there\u2019s a place for everyone.\u201d\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"&#039;I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line&#039;: The unstoppable rise of ultra running - The Cardiffian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Sam Humphrey claimed victory in the gruelling 43-mile Brecon to Cardiff Classic, finishing in 5 hrs 25 mins. The race, which winds through the Brecon Beacons and along the Taff Trail, saw over 350 competitors take part. Mr Humphrey, a member of Penarth and Dinas Runners, praised the sport\u2019s growing inclusivity: \u201cUltra running isn\u2019t exclusive\u2014there\u2019s a place for everyone.\u201d\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Cardiffian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-18T16:09:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-18T16:09:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Sam.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"James Bessant Davies\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@bessantdavies\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"James Bessant Davies\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/\",\"name\":\"'I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line': The unstoppable rise of ultra running - The Cardiffian\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Sam.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-18T16:09:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-18T16:09:31+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/#\/schema\/person\/1908ce9b60ec1b896db9bc139a066d80\"},\"description\":\"Sam Humphrey claimed victory in the gruelling 43-mile Brecon to Cardiff Classic, finishing in 5 hrs 25 mins. The race, which winds through the Brecon Beacons and along the Taff Trail, saw over 350 competitors take part. Mr Humphrey, a member of Penarth and Dinas Runners, praised the sport\u2019s growing inclusivity: \u201cUltra running isn\u2019t exclusive\u2014there\u2019s a place for everyone.\u201d\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Sam.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Sam.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Sam Humphrey wins Brecon to Cardiff Classic. Image: Daz's Photography\/James Bessant Davies\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"&#8216;I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line&#8217;: The unstoppable rise of ultra running\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/\",\"name\":\"The Cardiffian\",\"description\":\"Just another JOMEC Sites Network site\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/#\/schema\/person\/1908ce9b60ec1b896db9bc139a066d80\",\"name\":\"James Bessant Davies\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/d9a9c36e8da60e2037adad2b73b3573a\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/avatar_user_1206_1742154310-96x96.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/avatar_user_1206_1742154310-96x96.jpg\",\"caption\":\"James Bessant Davies\"},\"description\":\"Trainee visual journalist studying at Cardiff University covering Penarth, Sully and Lavernock.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/bessantdavies.com\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bessantdavies\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/bessantdavies\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/author\/bessantdaviesjd1\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"'I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line': The unstoppable rise of ultra running - The Cardiffian","description":"Sam Humphrey claimed victory in the gruelling 43-mile Brecon to Cardiff Classic, finishing in 5 hrs 25 mins. The race, which winds through the Brecon Beacons and along the Taff Trail, saw over 350 competitors take part. Mr Humphrey, a member of Penarth and Dinas Runners, praised the sport\u2019s growing inclusivity: \u201cUltra running isn\u2019t exclusive\u2014there\u2019s a place for everyone.\u201d","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"'I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line': The unstoppable rise of ultra running - The Cardiffian","og_description":"Sam Humphrey claimed victory in the gruelling 43-mile Brecon to Cardiff Classic, finishing in 5 hrs 25 mins. The race, which winds through the Brecon Beacons and along the Taff Trail, saw over 350 competitors take part. Mr Humphrey, a member of Penarth and Dinas Runners, praised the sport\u2019s growing inclusivity: \u201cUltra running isn\u2019t exclusive\u2014there\u2019s a place for everyone.\u201d","og_url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/","og_site_name":"The Cardiffian","article_published_time":"2025-02-18T16:09:29+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-02-18T16:09:31+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Sam.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"James Bessant Davies","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@bessantdavies","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"James Bessant Davies","Estimated reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/","url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/","name":"'I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line': The unstoppable rise of ultra running - The Cardiffian","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Sam.jpg","datePublished":"2025-02-18T16:09:29+00:00","dateModified":"2025-02-18T16:09:31+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/#\/schema\/person\/1908ce9b60ec1b896db9bc139a066d80"},"description":"Sam Humphrey claimed victory in the gruelling 43-mile Brecon to Cardiff Classic, finishing in 5 hrs 25 mins. The race, which winds through the Brecon Beacons and along the Taff Trail, saw over 350 competitors take part. Mr Humphrey, a member of Penarth and Dinas Runners, praised the sport\u2019s growing inclusivity: \u201cUltra running isn\u2019t exclusive\u2014there\u2019s a place for everyone.\u201d","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Sam.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/02\/Sam.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"Sam Humphrey wins Brecon to Cardiff Classic. Image: Daz's Photography\/James Bessant Davies"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/18\/i-felt-absolute-joy-when-i-crossed-the-finish-line-the-unstoppable-rise-of-ultra-running\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"&#8216;I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line&#8217;: The unstoppable rise of ultra running"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/#website","url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/","name":"The Cardiffian","description":"Just another JOMEC Sites Network site","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/#\/schema\/person\/1908ce9b60ec1b896db9bc139a066d80","name":"James Bessant Davies","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/d9a9c36e8da60e2037adad2b73b3573a","url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/avatar_user_1206_1742154310-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/avatar_user_1206_1742154310-96x96.jpg","caption":"James Bessant Davies"},"description":"Trainee visual journalist studying at Cardiff University covering Penarth, Sully and Lavernock.","sameAs":["https:\/\/bessantdavies.com","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bessantdavies\/","https:\/\/x.com\/bessantdavies"],"url":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/author\/bessantdaviesjd1\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=93249"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93249\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":93463,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93249\/revisions\/93463"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/93254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=93249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=93249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=93249"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=93249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}