Running 100 miles with Big Foot lurking

But the hairy, human-like Sasquatch will be the least of Ben Hall’s problems when he embarks on an incredible 103-mile race through the Pennsylvania Wilds wilderness. Or Big Foot country, as it is known to some.

“The creature is supposed to have been spotted here over the years, but it’s more likely I'll need to steer clear of bears, coyotes and rattlesnakes,” says the South Anston-born athlete.

To say nothing of the heat, humidity, mosquitos, and ticks, as well as the thorny plants and tree branches that he will be smashing through on the gruelling course.

Big Foot, of course, is a mythical character.

But there is nothing imaginary for Ben about the scale of the challenge ahead, next month (August 12 and 13).

The South Yorkshire policeman has a taste for endurance sports, having raced 155 miles over six days in the Sahara desert and successfully scaled dizzyingly-high peaks in the Alps and Scotland.

However, the American Eastern States 100 race has little in the way of rest spots - competitors run up to 36 hours virtually non-stop through night and day.

It represents the most taxing event the former Dinnington Comprehensive and Anston Hillcrest Primary School student has tested himself on.

Ben (43) said: “The race is literally going up and down Appalachia mountains for 100 miles.

“I have been training in the Peak District twice a week for six months.

“It is going to be brutal in humidity, and dehydration is one of the main reasons why people have to bail out.

“Elite runners finish in just over 20 hours, but I work shifts and hope to get under 30 - to finish it for me would be great.

“It is a difficult terrain, a remote single track that is difficult to run on but the biggest problem is the elevation. There are really steep hills to get up and down.

“The desert was quite flat but that race is in stages with rests in between, and this will be more difficult. If I don't get to checkpoints at a certain time I will be out. The overall cut-off for the race is 36 hours.

“Running in the night has its own challenges, although it will be cooler there will be rocks and tree roots underfoot. You have to concentrate constantly.”

So, the question we just have to ask is, what attracted Ben to this hazardous mission?

“I’ve always wanted to run 100 miles, it is a big thing in America, where they have ultra-runners who are world-renowned,” he said.

“The drop-out rate is around 40-50 per cent. I don't care if I come last, I just want to finish. That is the goal and the true accomplishment, for me. I just want to give a good account of myself.”

Ben’s twin brother Edward, who works in the mental health and education system and is a veteran of the Sahara race, will be part of the team supporting him through the trail.