I set off on a Supported attempt of the Leicestershire Round on the 24/7/26 - with manned checkpoints approximately every 13 miles and 5 friends running sections with me. All support runners were self powered and no supplies were carried for me incase of injury or seperation from the support runner.
Conditions: The ground was very hard from the month long heatwave that we'd had and the farmers had harvested 90% of the fields that we ran through. The only unharvested fields were corn that was nearly ripe, dried out rapeseed or meadows waiting on being cut down. The starting temperature was 26degC and that stayed up until early evening. The lowest temperature we saw was about 13degC at around 2am before warming back up to mid-20's the next morning. Cloud coverage was sparse which added to making everything much warmer.
Start: Left Foxton Locks at approximately 4:05pm on 24/7/26 heading in an anti-clockwise direction. The section felt great and the fields were all harvested so conditions were ideal, if just slightly hot. The majority of the section was run, with a few hiked sections to try and save the legs for later. Fuel carried was 2x 500ml of Carb+Electrolyte, 180g of gel carbs and 1.5L of emergency water.
Rest Stop 1: The first re-fuel point was Belton-in-Rutland, I was given a new pack with 2x 500ml of C+E, 180g of gel carbs, 1.5L of emergency water and a fresh ice bandana.
- The next section was passed Launde Abbey and finished just after Burrough Hill. I knew this was the toughest section with the terrain and heat combined. Ran as much as I sensibly could, hiked the rest to conserve my legs.
Rest Stop 2: Just outside Thorpe Satchville I stopped to refuel my pack in the same way as before. I also took on some melon and Coca-Cola. I also left this stop with a head torch before the dark came in too much.
- This section had few issues. I tripped on a rock and took a blow to the knee between Frisby and Hoby. The terrain was relatively passive with some good runnable sections. My support runner and I were chased by cattle through one field just outside Gaddesby which meant walking a field which was definitely runnable.
Rest Stop 3: In Rearsby I stopped to change for a long sleeved top, a new headtorch and a pack with the above mentioned items. I also had my knee looked at just to double check my thoughts of it just being a bruise. Alongside that I took on watermelon and some flat Coca-Cola.
- This was a very runnable section. Pace was good until my headtorch went into low power mode. Recovered pace and moral after receiving a new battery a few miles later. Took another fall along the River Soar path which was down to me pushing the pace too hard with a dimming head torch. Escaped with grazed hands. Also had minor stomach discomfort which was fortunately trapped wind.
Rest Stop 4: In Newtown Linford I received a quick leg rub while I consumed my melon and Coca-Cola. I briefed everyone on how I felt and how I could see the next sections going as I had started to feel the lows catch up with me.
- Toughest section mentally. Ran in silence for 10+ miles so I am grateful for having an amazing support runner on this portion. The dew through the parks around Thornton reservoir also got my feet very wet.
Rest Stop 5: In Odstone I received the same some solid food and drink as before and a fresh pack with the same fluids and fuel.
- Another section of near silence with a support runner and the mental load was ever increasing. Blisters began to form on the arches of both feet.
Rest Stop 6: In Barwell I received the same solid food as before because my stomach discomfort didn't feel as though I could risk anything else. I changed into lighter clothing because the temperature quickly started to spike and I refueled my pack with the same set-up as the other stops.
- Very runnable sections which were made the most of until the Fosse Way. This knocked my confidence and my navigation abilities suffered slightly because I forgot my reccy mental notes. My support runner managed to encourage me enough to push on and get back on track although runnable sections between Claybrooke and Frolesworth weren't taken advantage of.
Rest Stop 7: In Leire I took on a small amount of solids, Coca-Cola and recharged my pack as before.
- Ran as much as possible to try and push the pace. It was very much a walk/run approach at this point. Gumley Hill was as brutal as expected and then pushed as hard as possible from Gumley village to Foxton Locks. Got to share the final 3km with my crew chief and 2 support runners who had run the most distance during the effort. Got back to Foxton Locks in 22hrs 22minutes and 1second to what could only be described as a hero's welcome.
This was truly an amazing experience but at the same time incredibly challenging and humbling. I can't thank my friends and family enough for the support from their vans, from the roadside and for the people who shared miles with me across the experience.
I look forward to seeing someone push this record even more and I certainly anticipate someone going under 22 hours in the not too distant future. Amazing adventure all round.