50k at 50

Skelmersdale’s Rene Mallett pushed himself through pain, isolation and brutal terrain to complete the Isle of Wight Ultra Marathon, proving endurance is as much mental as physical.

“You can’t cheat in a run. It brings out the worst monsters in your brain.”

At 50 years old, Rene decided to take on one of the toughest challenges of his life: the Isle of Wight Ultra Marathon.

What should have been a 50K race became 53K due to a diversion. With more than 1,050 metres of elevation, roughly the height of Snowdon, it pushed even experienced runners to their limit.

But for Rene, who lives with Type 1 diabetes and openly admits he is “not a runner”, the challenge was never just physical.

Just two years ago, he completed his first ever 5K at the age of 48. A year later came his first half marathon. Then, approaching 50, he decided to take on his biggest challenge yet, proving to himself that mind can overcome matter.

Inspired by David Goggins audiobooks and the belief that running exposes the darkest parts of the mind, Rene trained relentlessly, completing a half marathon every week for ten weeks in preparation.

But nothing could truly prepare him for what was to come.

Around the 35K mark, things began to unravel. After more than an hour without seeing another person, exhaustion and isolation started to take hold. His body began breaking down, his knee gave way, and the weather turned from sunshine to sideways rain and brutal winds. Managing pain, fatigue and blood glucose levels became overwhelming.

Then, at his lowest point, as he hobbled towards the next aid station, he unexpectedly spotted his son, Luca.

“I was ready to give in. I was broken. But then Luca reminded me: you said you’d end this in hospital or at the finish line. So, I kept going”

Nine and a half gruelling hours later, Rene crossed the finish line exhausted, emotional and in agony.

Out of 100 runners, 10% didn’t finish. Rene, a self-described “15-stone non-runner” living with Type 1 diabetes, came 26th.

Bruised and barely able to move, one thought remained in his mind: What’s next?