Ultra Runner Luke Grenfell Shaw Challenges a Welsh Train to a Race

Let’s set the scene real quick. Last year, an esteemed ultra-distance athlete by the name of Luke Grenfell Shaw ran a race against a boat. The boat did not have legs, as I’m sure you’re picturing. It was the Ullswater Steamer, which if you’ve spent any time in The Lakes, you’ll know is a bog standard (though quite streamlined) aquatic boat.

Speaking as a respected outdoor journalist, the race itself was totally unfair. For one thing, the boat’s route from Glenridding to Howtown was 2.5 miles shorter than Lukes, and the steamer was given the advantage of being in water – its natural habitat!

Disadvantages aside, the race was still dead close. Luke narrowly lost. Luckily, one silver lining was the creation of a hilarious and coveted Strava segment which covers Grenfell Shaw’s 7-mile route. It’s the most unique segment in the app’s entire library – but now another route is challenging it for the throne.

Luke is back with a vengeance. And this time - he’s racing a train.

The Challenge

Not just any train, mind you, and not across the typically flat routes of most railways. Luke Grenfell Shaw, fresh off the back of a 100k race victory at UTMB Val D’Aran, is heading to Snowdonia to beat the Mountain Train to the summit of Wales’ highest peak.

He’ll have an hour to get from base to summit, and he’s going to have a pit crew stationed at the point where his underfoot conditions will change from smooth road to rocky trails.

The Gear

Luke is a Brooks athlete, and he’s enlisted their help for this heroic challenge. He’ll kick off in a pair of super-fast Brooks Hyperion 2 running shoes for the fast, opening section, before switching to the race-ready Brooks Catamount Agil trail running shoes as he hits the trail.

Will our Strava shark beat the train? Watch the video below to find out.

If you think there is a more exciting or unique segment out there, then let us know! The Strava Shark is always hungry for a new challenge!

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