FARNHAM’S Susie Chan, who last year impressively set a new record for running 12-hours on a treadmill and who completed a five-day 230km race through the Peruvian jungle, has added another accomplishment to her ever-growing list – a multi-series 155km race along Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline.

The Costa Rica Coastal Challenge comprises two race classes – expedition (236km) or adventure (155km). Day one and day six are the same for competitors with the adventure racers taking a shorter route on the days in between.

Susie had been advised to expect humidity, heat and varied, tough terrain, and according to her “it really was”.

“Day one had been a bit of everything. A long flat sun-scorched first few miles were right up my street, then the route started to climb and climb. Soon we were in the jungle and I realised just how tough the week was going to be,” said Susie.

“Having run through the jungle before I realised halfway through the day that the long version of this race would wipe me out for a few weeks. Before I had even finished the stage I had decided to do the shorter version.

“I decided to enjoy my time and the experience and hopefully come out with legs intact for Tokyo Marathon (the following weekend) and Marathon des Sables (seven weeks later).”

Susie’s plan was to run the 155km route with all her might. Days two and three where much shorter and had long beach sections which played to Susie’s flat-loving legs:

“I hammered out beach sections in the boiling hot sun as fast as I could. The temperature where we were, south of San Jose, was pushing 40 degrees, and the humidity in the jungle pushing 80. It was sweaty clammy stuff.”

Runners were treated to a typical breakfast of eggs, sweetly spiced porridge and if they wanted a peanut butter sandwich – lunch and dinner was barbecue fish, meat, potatoes, salad and cake.

“At times I totally forgot I was running a multi-stage and it felt like a very adventurous tropical holiday,” joked Susie.

“I did forget an awful lot of things though. Fortunately my tent mate is the most organised runner I have ever met in my life, Marathon des Sables winner Elisabet Barnes.”

The very last day was a celebration of the week. Both the expedition and adventure runners completed one last loop around the breathtaking Drakes Bay.

Susie concluded: “This race is special. Camp life lends itself to you meeting new friends. Top flight elite runners are there, and I found myself having dinner every night with legend Anna Frost, Hardrock winner Jason Schlarb, Spanish run hero Chema Martinez, and the astonishingly fast winner Tom Owens.

“Having done the shorter course I got the chance to see these elite runners in action. I was delighted to be awarded overall winner in the adventure category.

“There was so much to say about this race that is good. The course is a toughie, but rewarding. The camp life and people you meet are wonderful, encouraging and friendly. The experiences you get are real once in a lifetime stuff.

“Thank you to Steve Diederich at Run Ultra, Elisabet Barnes for the laughs, and Rodriguez and his team for the excellent race.”