North Somerset Athletic Club’s Luke Hanson delivered a superb display to finish second in the UltraX five-day World Championships in Slovenia.
He arrived by invite on Saturday June 4 after impressing at the Tribe Run For Love 260km over a six-day period in Croatia.
Hanson had only two weeks to prepare, after his heroics in Croatia, and he started well on the first day of the race two days later.
The race began from the town centre in Ajdovscina on a course that was relatively short and flat, 42.5km with 1,200m vertical.
After finishing second Hanson looked for more success on the second day two which saw 51km with 2,400m vertical and included a 11.5km downhill section. This was timed separately to find the King of the decent.
Hanson finished second in this stage to be crowned the King of the decent and a cash prize of £250.
Day three was the longest stage where athletes ran 61km and 2,400m vertical through the Soca valley and onto their second campsite at Tolmin.
After falling to fourth place around the 40km mark Hanson worked hard to move past two athletes on the decent to 50km to move into second.
And in the final 2.5km Hanson was overtaken by two athletes to finish in fourth.
However, on day four at 56km and 2,300m Hanson produced a wonderful display made his way through the field to finish in second place.
On the final day at 45km and 1,700m vertical Hanson once again finished in second to claim second overall.
He also finished first in his age group, between the ages of 40 and 49, to claim £2,700 in prize money and end a wonderful month.
“It has been a surreal four weeks," he said.
"Going to Croatia and discovering I was quite good at multi stage mountain ultra running, getting invited to the World Championships, surviving the trials of a second week of huge distance and vertical gain and coming away successful.
“It was amazing to be part of such an event, see so much of a beautiful country and meet some brilliant people.”
His efforts over the course of the last month has seen him raise over £1,550 for Tribe Freedom Foundation.
To donate, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/luke-hanson1.
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