Last-Minute Decision, Standout Result: Kelly Staunton Takes First Female at the GB Ultras 50 Mile Race

At Highland Fuel Nutrition, we love seeing our athletes achieve the goals they've worked so hard for. But every now and then, a performance comes along that reminds us just how unpredictable and exciting endurance sport can be.

This week, Kelly Staunton delivered exactly that.

What makes the result even more remarkable? She only decided to race on Monday.

With no long build-up or months spent focusing on this specific event, Kelly made the late call to toe the line at the GB Ultras 50-mile race. A few days later, she crossed the finish line as First Female and 10th Overall, stopping the clock in an impressive 11 hours, 37 minutes and 49 seconds.

A Training Day That Got Competitive

For Kelly, this wasn't an "A" race. In fact, the 50-miler was always intended to be little more than a solid day out and a chance to test the legs, the fuelling strategy and race routines ahead of a much bigger challenge on the horizon.

Next month she'll be heading to the start line of the the Lakeland 100, one of the UK's toughest 100-mile ultras. With over 6,000 metres of climbing through the Lake District fells, it demands not only exceptional fitness but a nutrition plan that can be relied upon hour after hour.

Using a 50-mile race as a final dress rehearsal is one thing. Winning it outright in the women's race and finishing inside the overall top ten is another.

Trusting the Process

Anyone who follows Kelly's racing will know this isn't a one-off. Over the last couple of years she has quietly built an outstanding record across the trails and ultra scene, putting together a string of strong performances over some of the most demanding courses around.

What stands out most is her approach. No fuss. No drama. Just turning up, trusting the work that's already been done and letting the result take care of itself.

Despite entering at the last minute, Kelly ran a smart, controlled race, moving through the field and maintaining consistency across the full 50 miles to claim the women's victory.

Practising Race Day Nutrition

One of the biggest goals of the day was to rehearse the fuelling strategy that will be used at Lakeland 100. Ultra-distance success isn't just about fitness; it's about finding a nutrition plan that keeps energy levels stable and your stomach happy over long hours on the move.

Training the gut is every bit as important as training the legs, and having the confidence that your fuelling works allows you to focus on running rather than simply surviving.

Eyes on Lakeland

This result is a fantastic confidence boost, but the real target is still to come. Lakeland 100 is one of the most iconic races in British ultra running, and Kelly heads there in great form after a performance that showed both strength and control.

From everyone at Highland Fuel Nutrition, huge congratulations on an incredible run. A last-minute decision turned into 1st Female and 10th Overall, and we can't wait to see what you can do over 100 miles.

Race Result

• Event: GB Ultras 50 Mile
  
• Position: 🥇 1st Female
  
• Overall: 🔟 10th Overall
  
• Finish Time: ⏱️ 11:37:49

Sometimes the best tune-up races end up being much more than just a training run.