KVK - Kernow Vertical Kilometre

Running 44@60 - tips, ideas and advice for your first ultra marathon or marathon

The organisers describe the KVK - Kernow Vertical Kilometre as 'a unique challenge; a Kilometre of Vert in Kernow!'
Starting at Perranporth Airfield the route takes you up to the top of St Agnes Beacon - you then drop left for a lop of around 1.3 miles before returning to the top of the Beacon and then via several more climbs make your way back to the airfield and the Start /Finish area.
At this point you either hand over your ankle timing device to your team mate who runs the second lap or like me you crack on and run the second lap.
It's a tough run and it's nearly 16 miles in total. I understand now why people rave about it and its toughness. I think though for me doing the Exe to Axe 13 days earlier prepared me for anything and I don't think any parts of the KVK were tougher than some of those climbs in the second half of the Exe to Axe.
The scenery is stunning, the event really well organised and there was lots of support out on the course. 180+ signed up but only 120+ turned up. There were 5 signed up in my age cat. I should have noted there numbers pre-race so I could check where I finished as there were no age cat results which was a bit of shame as I was chasing an age cat podium.
Overal though a top event and one you should do. Here's the link to the KVK on the Freedom Racing website.
This is episode 119 of the Running 44@60 podcast. You can access and download the previous 118 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page.

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60. Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sales generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.
Trevor's big running goal is the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2024. He's also planning to run the KVK on April 15th, Hope 24 in July, the Black Rat in August and the Endurance Life Suffolk 32 miler in October.

If you would like to come on this podcast and share your running experiences, tips, advice, plans, as well as specialist knowledge that will help runners then email Trevor via: [email protected]

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The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60
The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.
Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West