Lizzie Faithfull-Davies was the first woman to reach Robin Hood’s Bay at 18:54 yesterday evening.

After an outstanding run, she completed the course in an impressive 58 hours 23 minutes, coming 8th overall.

Lizzie looked on good form as she came running down into the finish, where she was cheered on by event team, fellow finishers and members of the public.

Upon arriving at the finish line, Lizzie was presented with her medal, before she went to dip her toe in the sea and throw in a pebble which she’d carried all the way from St Bees as per Wainwright tradition. Upon throwing the pebble in, she became teary, saying that was for her dad, who unfortunately passed away and would have loved this adventure.

Lizzie has already proven her strength in continuous ultra-races when she came 3rd in the 2022 Spine Race, but this is her first ever win in a big race.

Lizzie has been in the lead right from the start, and although there were a few stretches where it looked like 2nd lady Nikki Sommers might catch her, eventually it was Lizzie who emerged victorious, continuing to strengthen her lead throughout the 2nd night and into day 3.

“I never Ever imagined I would do that”

One of the toughest things about the SILVA Northern Traverse actually happens after the race has finished, and that is when competitors, having completed the 300km journey, must then trek back up the hill to the event centre. While most are broken by this point, Lizzie was practically striding up the hill.

We asked her about her race as we walked with her. She seemed elated, but in disbelief. She said, “I never ever imagined I would do that, and I really doubted it on the first night.” 

For Lizzie the route highlight was the Lake District. She said, “It was stunning weather. I felt really strong as well, I didn't expect to feel quite that strong and it was really good being in amongst some really really good runners and being able to enjoy being out in the hills without being knackered. That was fantastic!” 

Like many others, sleep deprivation was one of Lizzie’s biggest challenges. “I had my first experience of falling asleep on my feet. I was with somebody else, and literally, I was zig-zagging across the track, and I wake up and all I can think is ‘Just keep walking uphill!’”

“I tried to get 2 hours sleep but by the time I got into the tent last night I got about an hour. That was all I had.”

Lizzie wasn’t even aware of how well she was doing. “I was just running my own race. I didn't know where I was for ages. I assumed there were loads more people in front. Nikki and Emily were quite close to me at the time. I knew they were there but I didn't know who else might be in front.”

It was only at Shap that Lizzie realised she was in the lead. 

We asked her what kept her going. She said, “Lots of things actually – I think enjoying the route.”

“The first night going over Patterdale, I ended up being in a group with some of the Lakes Traverse. It was really nice to be in a group and help everyone off that bit.”

“It's also either catching up with someone who's in front of you or keeping going because you know someone’s behind you.

 However, the experience and the camaraderie were the main motivation for Lizzie. “More than anything I think it’s just enjoying not having a computer and just doing something that's totally absorbing. And with really, really lovely people. That's the thing about ultra running is everyone is so friendly, so easygoing, and you meet all sorts of random people, you hear their life story within the first five minutes and then spend the next day talking about it.”

2nd Woman, Nikki Sommers came into the finish with Rob Brooks

Nikki Sommers was second woman, and looked elated as she came running into the finish at 21:16 last night. She ran into the finish with Rob Brooks, the pair having agreed to cross the finish line together coming joint 10th place in a time of 60 hours and 46 minutes.

There were many hugs on the finish line, with Nikki being met at the finish by her twin sister. A regular volunteer at Ourea Events, many members of the Event Team were also keen to come out and see Nikki’s finish.

Following her fourth place at the Montane Dragon’s Back Race in September, she is thrilled at coming 2nd in the SILVA Northern Traverse.

She had a fast finish to the race. “We reckoned we might be joint 10th overall which is why we sprinted for the last 8k.”

She found teaming up with fellow runner Rob really helped keep her going.

She said, “It was so much easier because of Rob. I decided to leave Richmond without him to try and chase down Lizzie, which was such a bad idea because she just flew off – she’s totally awesome. But then I was like ‘come on Rob, catch me up’ and he did. We had good banter and pulled each other through the low points. And then Rob made me sprint at the end because we wanted to be in the top 10 and there was a man behind us.” 

Nikki’s run is even more impressive, given she had her doubts about starting in the first place.

 She said, “I nearly didn’t start. I was having a bit of a life crisis and nearly didn’t come, so I’m pretty pleased now. It was really good. It’s how much you’re willing to suffer and I’m quite good at smiling and suffering.”

“The highlight was the sunset this evening because we flew over the last moors and that was just amazing because our legs actually worked.”

We asked her what she had planned next: “I’ll chill out, and maybe a Paddy Buckley later in summer, and the Spine in January, but nothing for a few weeks.” It will certainly be a very well-deserved rest!

Nikki’s running partner Rob also had a great race, and was thrilled to have come in the top 10. He said, “It was a bit of an adventure seeing something new. I really enjoyed it.”

Emily Mills was third woman into the finish 

It was a clear but chilly night, when Emily Mills came running into the finish at 05:00 this morning. She had beautiful moonlight to see her into the finish, where she still managed to jog the final few metres.

She looked exhausted but content when she was met by the event team.

“I feel terrible,” she said with a laugh. “I need to sit down a lot. It was hard, but it’s done. I did it!”

Emily had only one hour’s sleep for the entire 300km journey. “I need sleep so bad, but I’m alright – I survived.”

Emily found the last few kilometres hard, but still stopped en route to help out a fellow runner who had fallen asleep and become confused on the side of the trail.

 Emily’s achievement is certainly very impressive, and she has had a significant lead on the 4th lady throughout the race. Her final finishing time was 68 hours 38 minutes.

Finishers are expected throughout Tuesday and Wednesday

While our first finishers are now all into Robin Hood’s Bay, there are many more still out on course, who will be battling their way through the North York Moors overnight. Whether you’re at the front of the field or the back of the pack, it’s certainly a challenge.

You can follow their journey on the live GPS tracking.  

FOLLOW IN OUR PARTICIPANTS’ FOOTSTEPS

Take on your own challenge and see what you can achieve! Entries are open NOW for the 2024 SILVA Northern Traverse. Or if you’d rather go for a shorter distance with stunning Lake District views, join us for the 2024 SILVA Lakes Traverse. We can’t wait to see you there!