An Isle of Wight Prison officer has become a true ultra runner after successfully completely the Winter 100 mile trail race and securing the grand slam buckle after a challenging series.
Ian Cullingworth, 48, from East Cowes is a prison officer at HMP Isle of Wight but has turned into an elite runner, participating in some of the most challenging races in the United Kingdom totaling a whopping 400 miles during 2013 alone – more than 15 marathons in length.
On Sunday, Ian competed in a race called the Winter 100 mile trail race at Goring & Streatley in Reading. The race is organized by Centurion Running, who hold a total of 4 races in 1 calendar year totaling 400 miles with competitors who finish within the 30 hour cut off time qualifying for the Grand Slam final competition.
At the start of the run, that began at 10:00 on Saturday (30th November), there were only 8 people from the UK that were in contention for the grand slam with Ian being fortunate enough to be one of the few after battling through the three previous events.
Having trained hard with many hours in the gym, out running on the Island’s roads and in the countryside, Ian not only finished hours within the cut off time, but also within 24 hrs with a total run of 23 hrs 20 mins. With such an incredible time, Ian collected the 100 mile Buckle for 100 miles in less than 24 hrs and more importantly, the grand slam buckle for having successfully completed four 100 mile runs in the space of one calendar year.
Ian has this year completed the Thames Path 100 in March, The South Downs Way 100 in July and The North Downs Way 100 in October, all well within the cut off time.
Congratulations to Ian on his fantastic achievement.
