On Saturday (4th October) runners started a world-first challenge with the Runway 100 at Manston airport.
The first 100 mile endurance run at an airport, involved participants having up to 32 hours to try and run, walk and even crawl a total of 100 miles.
The iconic control tower was the start, finish and basecamp and would become a welcome sight after each lap. A previous running event at the airport, also hosted by Runbelievable Challenges back in June, involved runners struggling in heat upwards of 27 degrees.
This time runners had Storm Amy to contend with. Gusts of up to 50 miles an hour were recorded meaning long stretches down the runway were wind assisted, impeded occasionally by actual tumbleweed. However, the opposite way proved much, much harder. Runners reported difficulties in just lifting their feet, but everyone was very thankful for no rain!
Out of all of the starters an incredible 32 runners successfully completed 100 miles, which consisted of fifteen 6.67 mile loops around the perimeter of the airport and down the epic 2,748 metre long runway.
Andy Roberts was the fastest and managed it in an incredible 16 hours 38 minutes. To put this into perspective, this is almost the equivalent of running four 4-hour marathons back to back.
James Bennet, a seasoned endurance runner, completed his 26th 100 miler in 52 weeks. This was after recently becoming the youngest person to complete one hundred, 100 miles. The last 100 mile runner came in at just under 31 hours, finishing at almost 3pm Sunday.
Instead of a medal, finishers of a 100 mile event typically receive a buckle. A gold buckle was received if they ran under 24 hours, silver buckles were awarded to everyone else.
Many other participants ran the 24 hour challenge which started at 8am Saturday and finished 8am Sunday. A pacer challenge started at 6pm where runners could buddy up and motivate people through the difficult night section.
Again huge distances were recorded with many running their furthest distance to date, a massive achievement considering the adverse weather conditions.
A donation from each participant and all proceeds from the onsite parking across all Runbelievable Challenges events at Manston meant a fantastic £2500 was raised for Thanet Disabled Riding Centre.
Runbelievable Challenges wish to thank Gary Blake (manager) and Manston Airport for the hospitality and allowing them to hold the event.
I went to support and it was amazing to see so many (unhinged) people traveling from afar, i.e. Bristol for at least one, to challenge themselves, especially with winds howling across the airport at nearly 50mph. A well run event that in some small way put Thanet and Manston on the map. The running community is huge. Well done to all that took part. Madness at it’s best!
With announced expansions of Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted, I suppose all Manston can aspire to be now is some sport facility…