Joanne Thwaite and Neal Crowe, two endurance enthusiasts from Frome Running Club, joined forces with like-minded members of Warminster Running Club to complete an attritional 24-hour relay trail race in Wasing Park, near Reading last month.
The annual event sees competitors looking to complete as many five-mile laps as possible in a 24-hour window; between 12 noon on the Saturday and 12 noon on the Sunday. Runners can tackle the undulating circuit individually, or as relay teams of three or six people. Jo ran as part of a three-person women’s team, with Neal running in a three-person men’s team.
The wet weather and constant footfall from 1,230 runners churned the course into a mud bath, but both Neal and Jo’s teams clocked up 27 laps each; a result that landed Jo’s team fifth in category. During the 24-hour window, the Frome pair clocked up 45 miles each.
Jo is well suited to mentally testing running events and is currently on an incredible streak of running at least one mile for the last 2,400 consecutive days. “After six and a half years of running every single day, I’ve learned that consistency really adds up,” said Jo. “I just take one mile at a time.
“Endurance running might sound tough, but it’s great fun, especially in a relay where the laughs, teamwork, and sleep-deprived miles make it unforgettable. It was nice to collaborate with another club to take part in this race – Kris Rivers, one of Neal’s Warminster teammates, ran all his ten laps in an assortment of inflatable costumes!”
Frome Running Club offers both off and on-road training to beginners and endurance athletes alike. The club welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk.
Pictured l-r: Vicky Griffiths, Joanne Thwaite and Emily Ruiz
