Running 50 kilometers is no small feat, even for the most seasoned athletes. But imagine doing it in scorching temperatures of 30°C with humidity levels hitting 100%. That’s precisely what Team GB faced at the IAU 50km World Championship in Hyderabad, India, back in November.
While the challenge of covering such a grueling distance is daunting enough, the added factor of intense heat and humidity made this event an extraordinary test of endurance. Yet, Team GB not only persevered but excelled. The men secured a podium finish, while the women clinched the gold, thanks in part to the remarkable performance of distance runner Rachel Hodgkinson.
Hodgkinson, a 31-year-old athlete from Liverpool, had never represented her country before, making this event a true baptism of fire. As a seasoned marathon runner, she needed to adapt her strategy for the longer distance while also dealing with the brutal Indian climate.
“In India, Anna and I were both new to representing GB, so it was a privilege to have that opportunity to compete,” Hodgkinson shared during a conversation with BBC Radio Merseyside.
Despite her experience in marathons, Hodgkinson faced the challenge of pacing herself in the oppressive heat. “For myself and Anna, we’ve never represented GB before, so it was a privilege to have that opportunity to go and compete,” she said. “Because Anna and I are marathoners, we played it quite safe and when the pace picked up, we dropped back a little bit just to conserve some energy for the last few laps, but it was really hard to do that.”
To prepare mentally for the distance, she had undertaken a few slow 50-kilometer runs. However, nothing could truly prepare her for the searing Indian heat. “It’s true it’s only five miles longer than a marathon in distance. But when you’ve done a marathon, telling somebody to do another five miles is not easy.”
But the extreme weather wasn’t the only obstacle the runners faced. Hodgkinson described a series of bizarre challenges, including cars cutting in front of the runners and wild dogs casually strolling along the course. And then there were the snakes.
“I didn’t see the snake, but apparently it slithered across the road. It must have waited until the British women ran past,” Hodgkinson humorously recounted.
Despite the myriad challenges, Hodgkinson finished an impressive fifth in her first competitive attempt at the 50-kilometer distance. However, her euphoria was short-lived as she felt the immediate effects of running in the brutal conditions.
“It was the humidity more than the heat that got to us,” she explained. “I didn’t find out until we got back that it had been nearly 100% humidity when we started, and then it was in the 90s for the rest of the race. We finished at 29°C, but then it went into the 30s. We were just glad to have finished.”
Crossing the finish line brought relief but also a moment of concern as Hodgkinson began to lose consciousness. She recalled, “I sat with an ice bag on my head for about 10 minutes until I could see properly again, and then we could start to celebrate a little bit, but we were all just knackered.”
The effort paid off, with Team GB’s women and men both finishing on the podium. It was a remarkable return, especially for Hodgkinson and her teammate Anna Bracegirdle, who had never competed in such events before.
“For our team, I am so proud of Team GB because we came first, third, fourth, and fifth in the worlds,” Hodgkinson proudly stated. “Myself and Anna, we’d never raced for GB before or raced a 50k, and we’re really proud to say that we both come from Liverpool, so of course we were going to do something amazing.”
In the end, their determination, resilience, and humor in the face of adversity propelled Team GB to victory in a race that will be remembered for its challenging conditions and extraordinary achievements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about IAU 50km World Championship
Q: Who is Rachel Hodgkinson and what did she achieve at the IAU 50km World Championship?
A: Rachel Hodgkinson is a Liverpool-based athlete who represented Team GB at the IAU 50km World Championship in India. She, along with her teammates, achieved remarkable success by clinching the gold medal in the women’s event, with Rachel herself finishing fifth individually in her first competitive attempt at the 50-kilometer distance.
Q: What were the challenges faced by Team GB at the IAU 50km World Championship?
A: Team GB faced several challenges at the championship. The extreme heat with temperatures around 30°C and high humidity, as well as the need to adapt to the longer 50-kilometer distance, were significant hurdles. They also had to contend with unexpected obstacles like cars crossing their path, wild dogs on the course, and even encounters with snakes.
Q: How did Rachel Hodgkinson and her teammate Anna Bracegirdle prepare for the race?
A: Rachel and Anna, both experienced marathon runners, adapted their strategy to the 50-kilometer distance by playing it safe initially and conserving energy for the final laps. Rachel had also undertaken a few slow 50-kilometer runs to mentally prepare herself, although the extreme Indian heat presented a unique challenge.
Q: What was the impact of the high humidity on the runners?
A: The humidity, which reached nearly 100% at the start and remained in the 90s throughout the race, had a significant impact on the runners. It added to the already challenging conditions, causing discomfort and fatigue. After finishing the race, some runners, including Rachel Hodgkinson, experienced a temporary loss of consciousness due to the extreme conditions.
Q: How did Team GB perform overall at the IAU 50km World Championship?
A: Team GB put on an impressive performance at the championship. The women’s team secured first place, with individual gold and bronze medals for Carla Molinaro and Sarah Webster, respectively. Rachel Hodgkinson finished fifth. The men’s team also performed admirably, earning third place in the team competition, securing a bronze medal.
1 comment
those wild dogs on the course sound like a real prob, glad they made it through ok, wow!