White Horse Harriers win big at Endure 24!

Endure24 is an annual event held at Wasing Park and claims to be the biggest 24-hour relay event in the UK. Chris Wilder, team captain, organised three teams of 8 or 9 runners imaginatively called White Horse Harriers A, White Horse Harriers B and White Horse Harriers C. Teams A and B both were on the podium. Other Harriers out on the course were Simon and Mark Harris in the Pairs (also podium) the Smiles Pairs Team of Patsy (also marshal) and David and bravely Charysse Gibbs going Solo.

The event caters for solo runners or walkers, pairs, and small, large and XL teams. The course is an 8k (5 mile) wooded undulating trial loop with 94m of ascent, including “heartbreak hill”. Which teams repeat over 24 hours. Winner is the team completing the largest number of laps; so going the farthest distance.

Team A won “Mixed Large Team” completing 41 laps in 24:21:45. Average pace was 35:39 and the fastest lap was 31:05 by Mike Stone. They came 2nd overall of 1142 entries and 1st of 402 Mixed Large Teams. A fantastic effort by Ed Phillips, Peter Furber, Mark Lane, Simon Julyan, Michael Stone, Joel Vaughan, Kerry Wilkinson and (Team Captain) Chris Wilder. Noteworthy was the 41 lap (his 6th lap in 24h so 30m or 48k) of 33:42 by Joel Vaughan who made up 2:58 over second place Reading AC Huskies to comfortably secure first place by 9:02. These were the only two teams to complete 41 laps and Joel’s last lap cementing first place was the vital final support. Especially considering that the 40th lap by the Huskies was 30:03, so rather too close for comfort. The team shared first or second position from Lap 2 and maintained first spot from Lap 24 at 2am; sometimes by only 2 seconds. So the performance pressure was significant over the 24 hours. To win by only 9 minutes after 24 hours and 205 miles of racing gives the measure of the pressure on the team to perform.

Forty-one laps is 205 miles (328 kilometres with 3,854m of ascent); due North from Wantage that gets you to Middlesborough, or nearly to Paris if you head South-East. It’s a long way.

Team B came third in “Large Male Team” completing 38 laps (190 miles or 304 kilometres) in 24:34:52. Average pace was 38:48 and the fastest lap was 33:54 by Paul Wileman. Team B came 9/1142, and 3/17 in category. They were 2 laps ahead of 4th place, maintaining third place from the 9th lap onwards and pressuring “Runny McRun Face” in second position. Another great effort by Ian Lambourn, Brad Skeats, Elliott Phillips, Gerry Fourle, Alex Bell, Paul Wileman, Simon Leech, and Kieran Holland. Sustained effort throughout the night.

Team C ran 31 laps at an average pace of 47:34 and the fastest lap of 38:54 was by Jon Gibbard, who also ran 3 double laps and a seventh lap of 40:56. Team C came 98/1142 and 8/38 in category of “Mixed XL Team”. A solid team effort by Gary Lane, Jon Gibbard, Martin Smith, Magdalena Pinney, James Terry, Alan Davies, Helen Smyth and Martin Attwood. Martin Attwood’s last lap, his 5th (25m or 40k) moved the team from 10th to 8th in category. Double laps were also run by Gary Lane (over midnight – so others could sleep), and Helen Smyth (a late substitute and noble effort).

In the Pairs event, there was a hard fought race between Mark and Simon Harris (OXCampers) and “One More for the Road”. Mark and Simon crept from fifth place to third and then dropped back a few places during the rain in the night. They fought back to third and then a fabulous effort by Simon who completed the 30th lap in 39:08 (significantly faster than many previous laps) to cross the start at 23:56:26 giving him 1:03:34 to complete a final lap which he ran in 50:11. This double lap at the end of the 24h gave the Harris brothers 2nd place with 31 laps over “One More for the Road” on 30 laps. Amazing effort by Simon and a well deserved 2nd on the podium.

In the Solo event, Charysse Gibbs met her target of 8 laps (40 miles or 64km) with an eighth and final lap of 58:07 – her second fastest lap. Charysse finished 983/1142 overall and 229/296 in her category. To run this event Solo shows such mental fortitude; passing the food stalls, friends and a warm bed every 8k. Maybe you might like to join a team next year Charysse?

Pairs Team “Smiles Miles” completed 5 laps. A good effort as Patsy was injured and also marshal at “Flamingo Corner” (see David’s photo), and (I’m sure she won’t mind me saying) awaiting surgery. David ran four laps at a steady pace; indeed his last lap was the fastest at 1:06:44. Super to see the Smiles out on the course contributing to the event.

The event has a real festival vibe with over 3,000 runners and walkers and 1,500 spectators. A couple of very heavy rain periods made the trail muddy and some of the downhills a little technical. Those running in the middle of the night in heavy rain, you know who you are! maintained team places with significant efforts; knowing another loop was scheduled in some hours time.

All three teams were coaxed (which my dictionary defines as gently and persistently persuaded, which seems about right) by Chris Wilder who enthused, organised, switched team members and managed the three teams of 24 Harriers. Really, herding cats is so much easier. A heroic and much appreciated effort for a fun event and great results. Pictured, the zen meditation, seance and motivation circle at 8am with mandatory coffee.

Next year Chris? Endure24 for 6&7 June 2026 entries are now open and nine have already agreed to play.

And an especial thanks to all the Harriers, and supporters (young and not so young) who came along. Well worthwhile.

Words: Alan Davies