HARWICH Runners organised an event with a difference at Weeley.

The brainchild of Steve Burbidge, the HR24 gave runners the opportunity to complete as many 2.5-mile laps as possible within a 24-hour period, either as a solo runner or part of a team.

Forty-three runners decided to take on the event as a solo runner with David Green emerging victorious, completing an incredible 45 laps or 112.5 miles.

This was five miles more than second-placed Sean Smith.

Three members of Harwich also opted for this challenge with Ann Piercy completing a stunning 67.5 miles to finish as third lady.

Ultra-distance specialist James Mann managed 60 miles while Claire Bransby set out to walk 50 miles, which she completed in a little over 14 hours.

Unsurprisingly, one of the teams with the maximum number of eight people allowed completed the most laps.

This team was comprised of eight Harwich Runners, who were also responsible for setting up and running the chip-timing system at the event.

Team Chip managed an impressive 190 miles, with Simon Day picking up a big 42.5 miles.

Graeme Knott, Kate Hodgkiss, Kieran Callaghan and Robin Brookes also contributed 25 miles or more each and further valuable miles were added by Elspeth Knott, Ian Cannons and Will Roxby-Clarke.

Sam Gooding-Matthews organised another team of Harwich Runners and was one of four people in that team of six who covered over 30 miles in the 24-hour period.

The others were Andre Besant, Scott Luckey and Mark Lloyd.

Further contributions from Andy Thorne and Harry Young meant they were the team of six which covered the most distance, totalling 175 miles between them.

A team of three Harwich ladies were also up for the challenge.

Alice Cole, Clair Block and Penny Barrington each managed between 35 and 40 miles - despite none of them having ever run that far before.

As a team they covered 112.5 miles in total.

Aside from the running, many members of the club were also involved in making the event a reality.

There were many organisers and marshals who all put in a tremendous effort over the 24 hours and beyond to put on an event Harwich Runners can truly be proud of.

Meanwhile, Jez Downs travelled to Stowmarket for the second of the Friday five-mile series, posting 42m 29s on the off-road twisting course through Haughley Woods.

At Saturday’s Parkrun, last week’s winner, Simon Harrison, finished second in 19 minutes and 17 seconds.

Club-mate Simon Day was this week’s first finisher in 18m 41s.

Harwich Runners occupied all of the top three position with Archie Barrington finishing next in 20m 13s.

The club ladies claimed first and third positions with Claudine Benstead finishing first again in 21m 20s and Ellie Haynes in third place (23m 37s).

Two club members achieved personal bests.

Niall Burke reduced his best to 22m 58s and Kim Pretty recorded 26m 12s.