The 40 miler (Compton Downland Challenge) was brilliantly organised and great fun. I stayed in a school hall on the gym mats with some of the other runners the night before. There was a great atmosphere and 91 people did the 40 miles, so a relatively big field for an ultra. The course was good but I was frustrated by a stomach ache that forced me to walk a lot of the middle section while my legs and lungs were feeling fit and ready to run. Fortunately I felt better towards the end and managed to really enjoy running the last 6 miles or so. It was a hilly off road course of great countryside to run through. Very scenic and lots of good company. I finished in 7:56:27, in 59th place overall.