The Spitfire Scramble may not return until July 2027, but this is one race where making plans well in advance is part of the fun. After all, if you are going to spend 24 hours running through day and night, choosing the right squadron could be important.

Spitfire Scramble takes place from 10 July 2027 at Albyns Farm near Hornchurch and offers runners the choice of tackling the challenge solo or forming a team of between two and eight. Racing begins at midday when each team's squadron leader starts the first 5.75 mile lap. From there, one runner can be on the course at a time, completing a full circuit before handing over to a team mate. The challenge continues until midday the following day.

For solo runners it is a very different proposition, with endurance, pacing and simply keeping moving becoming increasingly important as Saturday turns into Sunday. For teams, tactics and teamwork enter the equation. Who runs when? Who gets the night laps? And who can still be trusted to get out of their sleeping bag as dawn approaches?

The weekend begins before the racing does, with runners and supporters able to arrive from Friday afternoon and camp for free. Catering, toilets, hot showers, sports massage and first aid will be available, helping create a weekend base around the 24 hour challenge.

July might seem a long way off from early September, but Spitfire Scramble is not really a race you simply turn up and run. There are teams to assemble, plans to hatch and, perhaps most importantly, squadron mates to choose.

You can secure a place for next year's race via the runABC race hub.