PREVIOUS EDITIONS

2023

For 2023 we upped the numbers to what will probably be our target field size going forward, in order to preserve the sense of being part of a sociable and friendly group, with people getting to know each other through the event. The atmosphere around the ride is so positive that we really don’t want to risk spoiling that.

First back this year was returning rider Rob Gardiner, who opted for a gravel bike in place of the MTB he used in 2022. Rob rode like a metronome, being super consistent from very start, working his way through the field and finishing in 49 hrs 20 mins, the second fastest time yet. First female rider was Rebecca Richardson in 81 hrs 13 mins, with the best timing perhaps going to Hannah Sergeant, who made the pizza party with 15 mins to spare. First back on the 480 route was Andrei Tereskin in 58 hrs 1 min.

Overall, we had a finishing rate of just under 50%, with plenty of riders vowing to return in 2024 to have another go. The main reason for not finishing was, as in 2022, tyre failure. Be warned – don’t fit lightweight racing tyres for this one!

Final 2023 Finishers List (600 km):

Rob Gardiner – 49 hrs 20 mins
Ewan Partridge – 53 hrs 43 mins
Lee Endres – 57 hrs 36 mins
Lucas Ashworth – 60 hrs 45 mins
Steve Chapman – 61 hrs 18 mins
Daniel Mills – 71 hrs 34 mins
Eoin Corcoran – 71 hrs 44 mins
Nicholas Pow – 78 hrs (plastic free ultra)
Richie McColl – 80 hrs 44 mins
Rebecca Richardson – 81 hrs 13 mins
Hannah Sargent – 84 hrs 44 mins

Final 2023 Finishers List (480 km):

Andrei Tereskin – 58 hrs 1 min
Sam Bennett – 77 hrs 58 mins

2022

2022 was the first edition of the Blaenau 600, and we deliberately kept it small in order to test things out. In the end we had 30 entries (our limit), 23 starters, and 11 finishers on the 600m route, 5 on the 480.

The event exceed all of our expectations with overwhelmingly positive feedback. The atmosphere was super friendly and relaxed. It was highly competitive at the sharp end, chilled in main pack.

To give you some idea of how long the ride might take, first back was Jac Lewis* in 44 hrs 17 mins, but he missed the final section of forest and had to make his way back on a parallel road due to a double Wahoo failure, so the FKT (Fastest Known Time) was set by Molly Weaver in 47 hrs 24 mins. All of the finishers made it back in time for pizza, with Matt Morris timing it perfectly in 82 hrs 59 mins. First back on the 480 were Ailish Graham and Sarah Hodgson in 53 hrs 46 mins.

Final 2022 Finishers List (600 km):