The Head who goes the extra 100 miles
Richard Uffendell, Headteacher at Ashton Park School in Bristol, is preparing to take on one of his toughest endurance challenges yet as he gears up to run a 100 mile ultra marathon in May, raising funds for the FORCE charity based in Exeter, in memory of his close friend, Michelle, who died from cancer.
The event, the West Country Ultra 100, will see him set off at 6am on a Saturday, with a 34-hour cut-off time to reach the finish line by 4pm on Sunday. The route begins in Taunton, passes through Bridgwater, moves along the coast near Hinkley Point towards Minehead, and includes challenging, mountainous terrain around Dunkery Beacon before returning to finish in Minehead.
“Everything else stops during that time” Richard explains “You go into a kind of survival mode where your only focus is to keep moving forward.” Despite the scale of the challenge, Richard believes ultra running is as much about mindset as it is about fitness. “Anyone can do it physically,” he said. “It’s all in the head.”
Richard has completed 56 ultras and marathons over the past nine years, with running now central to his wellbeing: “It’s a form of therapy. If something isn’t sorted after a 25 mile run, it probably never will be.”
That sense of balance has been vital in Richard’s role as headteacher. Early in his headship, he considered stepping back from running to focus fully on the job, but advice from his coach changed his mind. “He told me I’d regret stopping. He was right — continuing to run has made me better at what I do.”
Careful to prioritise family life, Richard builds his training around time with his children, often running early in the morning or late at night. “When I retire, the school will still be there, but I’ll still be a dad and a husband. That has to come first.”
Alongside competing, Richard volunteers at races, supporting fellow runners and giving back to a community that has played a significant role in his journey.
Although Richard describes himself as someone who “runs to complete, not compete,” the physical and emotional demands of ultra running are significant. Recovery from a 100 mile race can take four to six weeks, and finishing often brings mixed emotions.
“You feel proud, of course, but there’s sometimes a bit of a dip afterwards. Then you start looking for the next challenge.” Next year, Richard is already considering an even bigger test: a 117-mile coast-to-coast run.
This latest challenge, however, carries a deeper meaning.
Richard is running to raise money for a charity that supported Michelle, and her family, during her illness. She died just four months after being diagnosed with cancer.
A carer in a home for adults with mental health needs, Michelle was known for her compassion and generosity. “She was exceptionally kind-hearted,” Richard said.
Michelle was also a familiar and much-loved presence within the running community, regularly supporting her husband and his fellow runners — not just with encouragement but practical help, from delivering food and supplies to meeting them along the routes. “She didn’t have to do that, but she did. That was just who she was.”
The race itself also holds personal significance. Michelle’s husband, Martin, together with Richard, had previously completed the 50 mile version of the same event, making this challenge especially poignant.
For Richard, the miles ahead are not just about endurance, but about remembrance, gratitude and purpose.
“They made such a difference at a very difficult time,” he said of the FORCE charity supporting Michelle and her family. “This is a way of giving something back — and of remembering someone who meant a great deal to many people. If anyone can dig in their pockets to donate a few pounds, I would be extremely grateful.”
Please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/richard-uffendell-wcu1002026?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL
