SIRONA 100 – A New Challenge

In addition to the EPONA 100 again in 2025 (albeit in reverse this time), I’m also signed up for another 100 mile adventure along the Wales Coast Path… The Sirona 100!

The Sirona 100 takes place on one glorious trail. The indomitable Wales Coast Path… A world’s first when it was officially opened in 2012, as a continuous foot path stretching around the entire length of the country’s coastline.

The Sirona 100 route will follow the Wales Coast Path sections bordering Snowdonia National Park and the Ceredigion Coast path.

With probably the most varied landscape and terrain of the entire 870 mile coast path, the route is flanked by the sea to the west and the mountains to the east. With a wealth of wildlife, geological and archaeological features there is a colourful history to discover along the way.

This incredible 100 mile adventure is very much achievable. With the right training and approach as I took for the EPONA 100 in 2024. The route itself may seem a little daunting with 15,000 feet of elevation gain but the course itself is very much runnable in sections. Let’s be honest we all walk at some point during a 100 miler. It just means you can take in some of the most breathtaking views Wales has to offer. The beautiful mix of the sea to your west and the mountains to the east come together to deliver a whistle stop tour full of highlights. Highlights that will live long in the memory and in the legs.

The Sirona 100 will be a mental and physical rollercoaster at times. Mother Nature’s rollercoaster with an accumulative elevation gain of 15,000 feet over the 100 miles. This course packs a punch but also a big cwtch. There are plenty of runnable sections with lots of downhill for those who love cutting loose!

SIRONA 100 Training

I took a different approach to ultra training at the turn of 2024. The most important factor I focused on was time on feet. Moving a lot. From January to May I built up a weekly cumulative mile goal to 100. I figured if I could condition myself to move 100 miles a week, then doing it over a weekend should be possible. Long runs leave me susceptible to injuries, niggly calf twangs usually. So, as long as I was using my legs, I collected these mileage goals running, walking and cycling. I balanced this with 3 or 4 strength sessions.

Having no idea how I would tackle a 100 miler in the run up to the EPONA 100 in 2024 – but I did know that if I got used to moving, a lot, it would certainly make things easier. I wasn’t aiming to win the thing, just complete it – which I did!

The best way to learn is by doing.

I learned a lot from the EPONA 100. Trying to hit the reset button at bag drop checkpoints. Things like sitting, eating, supplementing and using my massage gun were all important factors in longevity. Getting some shut eye was important too. I wondered how I might do it… But 56 miles into the EPONA 100 20 hours into the event made it very easy! However 2 hours rest, massage gun and a proper keto breakfast (bulletproof coffee, usual daily does of supplements I take, bowl of keto porridge with blueberries and protein powder) set me up for a second day.

Rest and replenish. These were the key factors.

2 100 milers in 2 months – should be an interesting challenge!

Since the EPONA 100 I have been consistently hitting 100+ miles a week. The intensity varies and in addition to that the regular 3 / 4 gym sessions coupled with the ever excellent Rokman to throw in a little bit of dynamism to the training.

In 2025, the plan is keep doing what I’m doing, just ramping up the intensity and mileage. Knowing that I can confidently embark on the 2 100 milers without the anxiety of ‘will I’ or ‘can I’ but instead a mindset of ‘how quickly can I do this?’.

My goal for both is to finish on the Sunday afternoon / early evening for both. I set this goal for the EPONA but only managed a 2:00am finish which, at the time I could not care less about a fanfare as I was pretty f*cked. However, it would be nice to soak up the buzz of finishing in the daylight his time!