UTMF: Hong Kong runner relying on mental toughness to complete Japanese 100-mile ultramarathon
- The two-time Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge runner is taking on Japan’s most famous ultramarathon
- She might not yet be comfortable with the 100-mile distance, but is drawing on past runs to push her through
Sarah Pemberton is embarking on the 160km (100-mile) Ultra Trail Mount Fuji (UTMF) on Friday and, despite an injury stopping her from training properly, she is confident she has the fortitude to finish.
“I’m relying on the endurance I’ve built up, because I haven’t been able to do long training runs,” she said. “But also, that mental side, having run much farther than 160km now, knowing I can keep going.”
This will be her fifth 100-miler, but Pemberton is not overly confident at the distance. She also won a place at the famous Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc in France this August, where they have various distances, including 100km and 100 miles, to choose from.
“I was torn because I really love the 100km,” she said, but picked the 100-miler anyway. “I’m getting confident at 100km in a way I don’t feel confident yet over 100 miles.”
“Every time I have done a 100-miler, there has been at least one moment I thought I’m going to give up,” Pemberton said, adding she once even called the race director asking to be picked up, but was convinced to sleep for an hour and continue.