Trail Talk: Introducing: The First Line 🏁

Emma Keen

Sep 20

4 min read

Trail Talk | September 2026

Right so it's been a proper busy old week and I've got a lot to catch you up on so bear with me, this one's a goody.

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5k Your Way - Celebration Night

Something has been happening on Tuesdays that a lot of you might not get to hear about. Our Tuesday 5k Your Way nights are a place for the new-to-running, those returning from injury, and a few who enjoy some sociable miles.

Most of you will have long forgotten what it was like to complete your first 5k, but it's the first milestone from an injury that really fuels your confidence, and marks an enormous achievement for anyone new to running. It's hard to find trail events which aren't 50km ultras, or gnarly mountain marathons; which is very intimidating for new comers - so we're launching our own!

Every 8 weeks, we are hosting an all-club 5k, not a race - but some miles to celebrate the amazing progress of our new runners, and those of us returning from injury. All the energy of race day, without the pressure. Prizes, pic-nics, and party vibes. The first one is on Tuesday 27th September at 18:00

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Ultra Course... now open for booking!

Right, ultra course. It's live. You can book it now.

Six weeks, one session a week, built for anyone who's ever looked at an ultramarathon and thought that's completely mad but also maybe I want to do that one day. Doesn't matter if you're already deep into trail running or this would be your first proper step past marathon distance, that's exactly who this is for.

We go through why ultras aren't just longer marathons (they really, really aren't), the training side of things, how you actually fuel yourself for hours on your feet without your stomach giving up on you, packing your kit properly and using aid stations like you know what you're doing, race week and what to do when your plan inevitably goes a bit sideways, and then week six is a full race simulation with a debrief after, so you get to practice being uncomfortable before it actually matters.

Thursdays, starting 15 October, same night as Hills and Speed (sorry!) so it slots straight into the week you're already doing.

£12 a session, or £60 if you want to book the whole lot in one go and save yourself the faff.

Your First Ultra Course Booking

Racing News

Now the racing, and there's some proper serious stuff to shout about this week.

Dan Clark was out at the Blencathra Marathon last weekend, which is not a course for the faint hearted, 26 odd miles out of Caldbeck taking in five Wainwright summits, Bowscale, Blencathra, Mungrisdale Common, Knott and High Pike, with something like 6000ft of climbing in there. That's a proper day in the fells, well done Dan.

Mike was out doing Sea to Summit, the Scafell Pike leg of the Rat Race series, starting down on the coast and climbing the whole way up to the highest point in England. 31 miles, a real mix of trail and road, tracing the shore of Wast Water before the climb properly kicks in. Sea level to summit in one hit, absolutely brutal, well done Mike.

And then this weekend it was Team Run Leaders turn, out on the Lap, that's the 75k route round Windermere, run anticlockwise this time. Dan, Gem and Rob all out there together grinding through a proper serious day out. Great effort from all three of you.

The amount of big miles being put in across this club at the minute is mad, keep it coming, I love seeing it.

On Zwift?

One more thing, if you're on Zwift, come and join the Ipswich Trail Runners club on there. I'm out in Watopia on my own most of the time and it's a bit lonely to be honest, come save me from myself.

See you out there, Emma & the ITR team

You're receiving this because you're part of the ITR community. Questions? Reply to this email or find us on Instagram. Ipswich Trail Runners

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This Week's Club Events:

Runners enjoying a beginners 5k trail event

DAYTIME SESSION 6km

Tue 15 Sept

Ipswich

Gentle countryside paths, supportive vibes, and a fun 6k. What3Words: ///think.scuba.deleting Mandatory kit: Trail shoes, weather-appropriate layers 💡👟🧥 Friendly pace, beautiful scenery, and an evening boost! ✨

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Runners on a coastal trail during a 10k event

5k Your Way - Nacton Shores

Tue 15 Sept

Nacton Shores

Join us for a 5k your way - a walk run event perfect for beginners and returners. Work your way to your first non stop 5k! ///minds.amicably.strikers Please wear trail shoes, suitable layers for the weather, and a head torch

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Runners participating in a speed social event on a grass field

Wednesday Social Run: Two-Loop Adventure from The Fox,

Wed 16 Sept

Newbourne

///fractions.proclaims.routine Join us at The Fox in Newbourne this Wednesday, 18:30, for two friendly loops (5–6 km each). Do one or both everyone’s welcome, no pace requirements, just good company and a post-run catch-up at the pub 🙌🏃‍♀️🍻 Who’s in for some trail time?

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Kesgrave Speed Social

Thu 17 Sept

Kesgrave

///massaging.adjusting.crawler Midweek speed boost incoming ⚡ Join us at Kesgrave Millennium Field for a punchy interval session on the grass – smooth laps, fast feet, and good company.

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Rendlesham Forest Parkrun Plus

Sat 19 Sept

Woodbridge

Parkrun… but make it a little bit unhinged 🌲 We’re taking over Rendlesham Forest for a Parkrun Plus start with the 5K, then keep adding loops ‘til your legs or your snacks run out. I'm happy to run as far as everyone wants to run :)

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