Ultra runner completes her Iceland challenge

Several times during the six-day Fire & Ice Ultra, she told herself ‘I’m never running again’ and yet within minutes of finishing on Iceland’s north coast, she was discussing options for future events with the new-found friends she had made among her fellow competitors.

‘You just can’t replicate the camaraderie,’ she said. ‘It was an enormous personal challenge and we were asking why we were doing this to ourselves, but we were the closest of friends by the end.’

They were kept going by the promise of comfort at the checkpoints run by the event’s crew.

‘They were the backbone of the event, looking after medical needs, sweeping the course, ensuring we were able to get hot food in quickly at the end of the long and cold stages,’ she said.

‘They were just so positive and upbeat.’

Much of the course took the ‘runners’ across terrain that was not conducive to anything other than a careful walk, requiring the use of walking poles, with loose rock making it impossible to find a secure footing.

‘Most of the 18 participants were really experienced ultra runners and I was at the back for the first couple of days,’ Mrs Amy said. ‘We had really strong winds during that time and while skirting the mountain known as the Queen of Iceland, I had to lean about 30 degrees into the wind to avoid being blown over. A lot of it was completely in the wilderness, in national park areas that are not usually open to the public at all.’

This meant she was in very unfamiliar territory despite having spent a couple of years living in Iceland while studying for a biochemistry degree during her 20s.

It was this experience that made Mrs Amy think of taking part in the event – billed as the toughest ultra-marathon in the world – when looking for a challenge that could also raise money for a charity close to her heart. As of yesterday, she had raised £1,700 for Autism Guernsey, which has previously provided support to her and her family.

Among the new friends she made during the event was Nic Lempriere, a Guernseyman with whom she was able to cross the finish line carrying a Guernsey flag.

‘I had no idea there would be another Guernsey participant,’ she said. ‘When I looked at the start list, he was down as “UK” because he now lives in Surrey. He saw that I was on the list and had tried to get in touch beforehand but wasn’t able to. So it was a surprise to meet him when I arrived. Only 14 people finished the event and two had Guernsey connections – I guess we’re very adventurous as a people.’

Mrs Amy’s brother, James Carter, was one of those who had to pull out and has since visited a consultant after ripping his calf muscle in three places.

‘He ran the equivalent of a marathon with that, without realising the extent of the damage,’ she said. ‘He’s on crutches now. I feel a bit bad after persuading him to join me.’

n Mrs Amy’s fundraising page is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runnerbeangreen.