ATHLETICS: Sleaford Town Runners tackle Samphire Challenge

Race organisers were very fortunate to have been granted permission to hold a 100-mile ultra event at Samphire Hoe, a nature reserve created from 4.9 million cubic metres of chalk marl from the Channel Tunnel excavations on the coast of Kent near Dover.

The main event was a 100-mile endurance run of 27 laps of a 3.71-mile loop. In addition, there was a 24 hour timed challenge to complete as many 3.71-mile loops as possible in the 24 hour time limit.

The course was a mix of very high quality gently rolling trail, bike paths and a nice, dead flat sea wall, quite literally all within the shadow of the famous White Cliffs of Dover.

Both Sleaford runners started off strongly but, on what was one of the hottest days of the year, the heat took its toll on all taking part.

Both Shaun and Sarah ended up dropping down to the 24 hour challenge with Shaun completing 14 laps, which was 52 miles, and Sarah running an amazing 23 laps – a staggering 85.3 miles.