A Cumbrian athlete was the last woman standing in an European endurance race.
Sarah Perry, of Cockermouth, took part in the Legends Backyard Ultra in Belgium alongside 104 other athletes from across the globe.
They had to complete a 4.167-mile course every hour, on the hour, until each could run no more.
Sarah racked up 76 loops of the course, totalling 316 miles and was the last woman standing from the 13 who started.
Next best was French runner Irene Kinnegim with 37.
Between the hourly loops, which Sarah ran at an average of 48mins 46secs, the INOV8 athlete slept and refuelled in a tent manned by her support team.
Early in the race, when Sarah was running faster, she had 15 to 20 minutes of rest between loops. Towards the end, with the race into a fourth day, it was less than five minutes.
Eventually the physical and mental exhaustion, combined with the oppressive heat, took its toll and an emotional Sarah tapped out.
The 34-year-old, who is also a maths teacher in adult education, had hoped to try and break her own women’s world record of 95 loops, set in America last year, and push for 100.
However, 76 still ranks as the joint-fourth best by a woman since Lazarus Lake – of Barkley Marathons fame – created backyard ultra running in 2011.
Sarah said: “Obviously it didn’t go as I’d hoped but I still ran over 300 miles and there were lots of positives to take from the experience.
“I was on the suffer bus for a long time and could have finished several hours earlier but wanted to push myself as far as possible. By the end I had nothing left to give.
“To reach 95 loops and beyond, I needed everything to come together, and it didn’t. I’m fine with that and happy with the experience.
“The support I got throughout was amazing, not only from my team but fellow runners and everyone involved with the event. The backyard ultrarunning community is incredibly special.”
INOV8 communications manager Lee Procter, who was part of Sarah’s support team, added: “It was such a brave run by Sarah, who could have honourably retired from the race earlier but pushed herself deep into the red.
“She shot for the moon and landed among the stars. Sarah’s a true legend, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
The Legends Backyard Ultra is now into a fifth day with four runners still going and currently on loop 101. The men’s world record stands at 119 loops, set by Australian Phil Gore last year.
