Three of North Down AC’s long distance runners headed to the beautiful grounds of the 350 year old Georgian Estate at Florida Manor near Balloo on Saturday for the Gaithouse Events’ Florida Manor Endurance Challenge, an endurance race with 3, 6 and 12 hour options. Runners had to complete as many laps of a little under 4k as possible within the time limit of their race.
Cold, rain and mud made conditions challenging and the wind picked up as the day wore on with Storm Dave adding to the runners’ difficulties.
The NDAC trio were well prepared for the conditions, thriving as the weather deteriorated.
Clair Quigley ran in the 6 hour challenge, finishing 14th overall and 3rd female, completing 11 laps to go over marathon distance at 42.9km.
Kim McCourt and Mark Walker tackled the 12 hour challenge. Mark was in second place at around the 100k point and shortly afterwards took the lead, holding on for a convincing win, completing 32 laps and 124.8km or @77.5 miles. Kim was 4th in the 12 hour race and 2nd female, running her last long run before the London Marathon just as most London runners are tapering, clearing 22 laps and 85.8km – @55 miles.
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