Athletes race horses for 22 miles in the prestigious event
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A Bath athlete took second position in the legendary Man V Horse race over the weekend. Team GB athlete Heather Fell, was the second-fastest woman to finish the gruelling marathon course, which made its return to the Welsh countryside of Powys on Saturday (June 11).
This year’s race also has made history as a man beat the horse for the first time in 15 years. It’s only the third time this has happened in Man V Horse’s 41-year history. After being established in the 1980s, the race pits humans up against horses over a 22 mile endurance race.
Firefighter Ricky Lightfoot from Cumbria is only the third ever runner to ever have crossed the finish line before the horse in the event’s long 41-year history. They take over the baton from Florien Holtinger who claimed victory in 2007.
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Team GB Olympian and silver medallist within pentathlon, Heather Fell, who lives in Bath competed as an individual runner and completed the race in three hours two minutes and 52 seconds. She was the second fastest female to finish the course.
She told Highlight Newsroom: "I had zero expectations of making it on the podium which was just the best feeling. What a historic year to take part when the man finally beats the horse after so many years! It was an incredible experience with a great community feel and so unusual to run against horses – unlike anything I’ve ever done before. The first time you hear the galloping hooves behind you, your heart starts thudding.
"It was a great atmosphere, from the race martials, competitors and lots of spectators; everyone was full of cheer and there was a great sense of camaraderie. Every season seemed to hit us and the terrain was very varied – I’ve never run quite so many hills. My legs are totally ruined, but I’ve been left with a huge smile on my face."
The winner amongst the horses was Lane House Boy ridden by Kim Alman at two hours, 24 minutes and 24 seconds – two minutes and one second behind Ricky Lightfoot.
The marathon event in Llanwrtyd Wells – sponsored for the seventh time by the UK’s number one peanut butter brand, Whole Earth – saw 1200 runners battle against a team of 60 horses and riders over 22 miles of stunning Welsh countryside. Participants competed against one another across rugged terrain, taking on steep hills, wading through bogs and getting splattered in mud in one of the toughest endurance races in the world.
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