By Kat Davey
A fairly interesting concept for a race – start at midnight from the 500 year old cross in Meriden, the traditional centre of England, then you have 24 hours to escape in any direction you choose, with the added bonus that your tracked distance is measured ‘as the crow flies’, so the more direct the better!
If that wasn’t already hard enough, then add on top Storm Claudia, an amber weather warning, dozens of flood alerts along our chosen route (rivers and canals 🤣), and sleep deprivation from doing this straight from work on Friday night! Helen and I decided to tackle this madness together, choosing to run in the direction of home!
The Highs:
Reaching 100km for me, and 76km for Helen, which is a massive distance PB for us both.
Support from the most wonderful bunch of people who came out early, late, in foul weather, and even ran the last bit with me to keep me going!
Drinking rice pudding at 7am on the side of the A38.
Helen tripping over a bramble and falling on her face in a newly formed river (probably not a high for her).
Babybel cheese 🧀
NO BLISTERS.
40km of glorious canal paths.
Checking out everyone else’s routes on the tracker map.
The Lows:
The side of the A38.
Derby city centre becoming the Derwent and forcing a huge route diversion.
20 hours of wet feet.
Wading through A LOT of water.
Great race and great concept! Definitely one to check out if you like your running long, and a bit mad.