Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking was the place to be last weekend for a running festival with more than one difference. The Denbies Festival of Running by Phoenix Running had the most generous cut-off time for a marathon and half marathon we have ever seen – 30 hours!

Yes, you read that right – 30 hours. Competitors in the Denbies Marathon and Half Marathon had from 8:00am on Saturday 22 June to 2:00pm on Sunday 23 June to complete either distance. The unique concept extended to offering flexible start times, meaning runners could try their first evening or night run. They could also run more than one half or full marathon simply by entering more than once!

This unusual approach was made possible by combining these two traditional race distances by running the relevant distance on a mile loop – with the extra one or two-tenths of a mile required for the half or full marathon – within a simultaneous super-endurance event on the same course.

The full and varied programme for the Denbies Festival of Running included the Minotaur 50/Hydra 75/Centaur 100-mile ultra races with the same 30-hour time limit on the identical mile loop on flat trails through England's largest single estate vineyard.

The fastest half marathon runners were Rik Vercoe (1:34:57) and Ciara Kiely (1:51:35). Stepping up to the marathon the best times were recorded by Ryan Brotherton (3:22:50) and Kirsty Landles (4:10:12).

The Minotaur 50 winners were Gavin Meakings (8:41:51) and Rose Sawyer (11;13:21); Hydra 75 champions were Aaron Handy (18:11:07) and Katharina Kujala (18:39:19); the Centaur 100 victors were Ruairi Bradley (19:47:11) and Jane Lightfoot (21:52:00).

With more than 250 finishers there were several milestone performances. Paul Becker completed his 52nd marathon in 52 weeks; Amanda Bruneau finished her 100 marathons in 100 weeks challenge. Sarah Marshall completed her 400th marathon (while running in the 100 miles); Karen Bennett notched up her 100th ultra marathon and Tom Bell finished his 100th marathon.

Detailed results are at runABC South's results section here.

Photo courtesy of Phoenix Running on Facebook