Endure with David Morrison: Endure24

I can’t say I have ever had the desire to take part in a 24hr event yet alone choose to sign up for one. Yet here I was at Bramham Park in Leeds, ready to take part in Endure24. Endure with me at Endure24. 

UK’s Largest 24-Hour Trail Race

Endure24 is the UK’s largest 24-hour trail race, held annually in both Leeds and Reading. This unique race allows participants to run solo, in pairs, or in teams of up to 12, covering as many laps as possible on an 8km trail course within 24 hours.

Last Minute Decision

I volunteered for the event the previous year and as a result had a free place in this year’s race. I will be brutally honest; I hadn’t put an awful lot of prep in for this and it was only a last-minute decision that I was going to do it. I had completed a 50km event the weekend before, the furthest I have run since returning from Tanzania in March where I raced a 220 km event. I have only ever hit the 100km mark in one day once before, so that competitiveness in myself challenged me to go out and do it again. My main concern was the repetitive nature of the laps and maintaining my mental focus and keeping sane. 

Race Day 

On race day, I arrived in Leeds just 20 minutes before the start time. The event village and campsite were bustling with activity, many coming the previous day and creating a lively atmosphere. The start line featured a diverse mix of runners, from ultrarunners and running clubs to fun runners and those in fancy dress. The race began at 12pm and because I arrived late, I was near the back stuck behind a pack of runners. I reminded myself that this is a race where it is all about longevity. 

A Mix of Forest and Heathland

The course was a mix of forest and heathland, passing landmarks like the 18th century Temple of the Lead Lads and the Roundhouse before returning to the Event Village. The trails were wide and runnable, with gentle hills that I opted to power hike. The excitement among the participants, including solos, teams, and partner runners, created a great buzz.

A Lot of Excitement 

Once I began to get into my stride the full lap had a great buzz amongst everyone as there was a lot of excitement with the course full of solos, teams, and partner runners. I aimed to complete 13-15 laps and planned to take breaks every three laps (24km) to refuel

Settled into a Rhythm

The first 5-6 laps went by quickly as I settled into a rhythm, averaging 45-50 minutes per lap. However, the previous week’s exertion began to affect me, and I felt the heavy toll on my legs despite mentally and fitness still feeling okay. I would be bothered if I saw someone overtake me, but knowing the nature of the race I didn’t mind all those fresh legs pass me so effortlessly. For once I wasn’t racing against other people, I was just challenging myself and running my own race. 

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Beginning to Struggle 

From lap 8 to 10 I found my body really beginning to struggle and I was walking more than I was running. I could feel niggles in my body, in particular my knees and IT band. The rain had come, and the head torch was on as I tried to plow through one foot at a time. At the end of the 10th lap, 80km in I decided I was going to grab some food and get some kip. 

Little Sleep 

With most people either sleeping in tents, caravans or continuously running throughout the night for the full 24hrs, I jumped onto the backseat of my car in my race gear and tried to get a little rest and shuteye. In hindsight this wasn’t the best of ideas. I got little sleep, was cramped, and my body felt even worse when I got up at 5am to go again. 

Final Decision 

I attempted to run the final 3 laps, but the realization soon hit that I would be walking instead. The little twinges and stiffness in my body had made the final decision.  I also had to overcome the mental hurdle knowing I couldn’t finish on 100km due to the laps, it would either be 96 km or 104 km! Determined to reach 100km, I completed the final 16km, which felt like the longest of my life. I was relieved to cross the finish line and collect my medal, satisfied with my achievement.

Truly Inspiring 

Endure24 saw thousands of participants endure varied weather conditions, with some breaking records and others pushing their limits. This included the female course record being broken with 24 laps (192km). Witnessing the resilience and determination of fellow runners is why I love this sport; it is truly inspiring. From those first timers to those enduring the full 24 hrs and hitting over 100 miles.  I know my own body’s limitations and was very happy to hit 100km. These experiences have taught me to appreciate my own efforts and not compare myself to others. And so that is the key takeaway. It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate our own achievements, savoring the journey and the growth that comes with it. And also knowing I don’t want to run another 100km in one go again anytime soon! Thanks for choosing to endure with me.

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