Just under 200 ultra-running enthusiasts took the opportunity to Run Sandringham over the weekend (20-21 August) in a 24-hour mash-up of human endurance, solitude, teamwork, kindness, and support within the Royal Estate at Sandringham.

There was a category for everyone. The so-called 'loneliness' of the long-distance runner was epitomised by the 64 men and 42 women who tackled the entire event solo – that is apart from an army of volunteer marshals and fellow runners in teams on the same five-mile lap!

The other hundred runners were involved in variously formatted teams ranging from male, female, and mixed pairs up to large mixed teams with up to 12 runners who ran in a continuous relay. 

So who ran furthest in the 24 hours? The individual male winner was Liam Beavis who completed 25 laps (125 miles) and the solo female winner with 22 laps (110 miles) was Claire Lawrenson.

Beavis averaged 57:50 for his 25 laps and peaked early with 40:16 on lap two for his fastest circuit. Lawrenson ticked off her 22 laps in an average 1:01:08, with a swift 48:33 on her fifth arrival at the finish.

However, the maximum distance of the entire event was completed by arguably the best-named team in the competition – For Run Night Only – comprised of four members of  Wymondham AC, who completed 38 laps (190 miles). Take a bow Aiden Banfield, Mark Banfield, Matt Webster, and Juliette Watkinson who averaged 38:37 and hit maximum velocity with Aiden Banfield's 32:19 on lap 13, his fourth trip around the block.

The next best team performance came from Suffolk & Norfolk Yeomanry who mustered 11 colleagues to the cause in one of the larger teams but still only managed 30 laps (150 miles) despite the pace of Mike Smith (41:26) who was their star performer. 

Epic Action Imagery was present to record everyone's efforts and provided the photo of the winning team For Run Night Only and the atmospheric shot of the start line at night below.

This was a runABC South featured race and full results are available via  our race listing here

Images courtesy Epic Action Imagery via Good Running Events