On Sunday 4th August, it was time to go back to school for Curly’s The Big School 12 hour run. This is an endurance event where runners can compete as solo entries or as part of a team with the opportunity to complete as many 5k laps as they can (or want) within 12 hours.
Located in the grounds of Worksop college there were opportunities to camp before and after the event, enjoy a dinner in the grand hall and even dance at a post event disco for those who could still use their legs. The event also provided an aid tent stocked with plenty of drinks and goodies to fuel the hungry runner, and a bag drop for the solo entries. The course was a well-balanced mixture of grass, woodland, gravel and road and the weather conditions were perfect, starting off cool and slightly drizzly followed by pleasant sunshine.
Jo Grace was the sole representative for Grantham Running Club. Keen to embrace a new challenge and discover how far she could go (and maybe enticed by the prospect of access to an all you can eat pick ‘n’ mix) Jo set off at a steady pace enjoying the course, atmosphere, the support of and supporting other runners on course. Having only reached 30 miles before in a training run Jo was delighted to cover over 40 miles within 8 hours.
As the afternoon wore on and with fatigue kicking in, Jo made the ultra mistake of bounding up a bank on tired legs and earning herself a ligament strain as reward. After taking a break at the aid station, a determined Jo managed to complete her final laps walking as running was now not an option.
Jo successfully completed 18 laps, over 56 miles, in a time of 11:47:56 and was delighted to find herself placed as second female, earning a trophy for her efforts.
Jo would like to express her thanks to the support of Grantham Tennis Club and gym, Grantham Running Club and Curly’s for all their support.