First Brit to conquer triple crown of 200-milers runs to fifth place
Scott Jenkins slept only eight hours across the three 200-mile races that make up the triple crown
Photo by:
@_anastasiawilde
On Oct. 17, London, U.K.-based ultrarunner Scott Jenkins crushed Moab 240, the final ultra in the “triple crown” of 200-mile races. Only 125 people have ever completed this trio of big 200s in the eight years since the challenge was established (a gruelling series of races over an eight-week period). The races, hosted by Destination Trail, also include Bigfoot 200 in Washington State and Tahoe 200 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and Nevada.
The 2023 season was a particularly challenging year for runners tackling the three races, as heavy snowfall conditions forced a late start date for Tahoe 200, resulting in Tahoe and Bigfoot being only two weeks apart.
Jenkins works a full-time corporate job, with ultrarunning as his hobby and passion, and says he loves running the 200-mile distance “as it is not about just how fast you can run, but the spirit of adventure coupled with strategy and tactics.” He is a devoted fundraiser for Operation Smile, a charity that repairs cleft deformities for children in developing nations. We caught up to him to learn how he bagged the 200-mile trophy.
What inspired you to take on the triple crown?Â
I’ve had my eyes set on the triple crown since I first ran Moab 240 in 2019, and my goal was to try and be the first Briton to complete the audacious task of finishing all three of these races based in the U.S.
The uncertainty of not knowing if I could do it was part of the appeal, as, if a positive outcome was guaranteed, then it wouldn’t be a challenge.
How did you adjust your training to accommodate the terrain you’d be encountering in the U.S.?
I focused on running hills and working on my leg strength, as there were over 111,000 feet (3,353 metres) of elevation gain, and London doesn’t comprise a lot of options for that. Many treadmill incline runs with a weighted vest were incorporated into my training plan. My coach, Jeff Browning, and I also looked at the nutrition aspect, as I have a trademark for being sick the full first day.
We alternated differing fuelling strategies throughout the triple crown as challenges in each race unfolded. In Moab, I think we found a solution in Vespa [sport supplement] and putting the contents of my salt caps into my pre-mix drinks, so salt was metabolized quicker.
Did you have any doubts you would be able to achieve this? What was most challenging?
Yes! The biggest challenges were altitude and extreme heat, as they are not things we encounter in the U.K. on a regular basis. The lowest point was the first 60 miles of Bigfoot, because my feet were so sore and sensitive as a result of Tahoe two weeks before, coupled with my body still adjusting to running another 200 miler in such close proximity. Typically I think it takes six to eight weeks to recover from a 200-mile race.
There were many lows. The second day of Moab stands out, as I was able to drastically improve my performance from the previous 24 hours, which I put down to sheer hard work, determination, mindset, my pacing team and Vespa, meaning less reliance on food that my body seemed to reject.
How does it feel to be the first Brit to bag such a wild ultrarunning trophy? What’s next?
It feels overwhelming. I’ve had so many nice messages, which I’m still trying to reply to. I also feel honoured to have competed against such strong male and female athletes across all three races in the triple crown.
What’s next: I’ve applied for the Hardrock 100 lottery, am returning to Cocodona 250 to do the original course without a bummed ankle, and plan to do the Tor des Géants.
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