Running events are easier in a motorhome – Equinox 24

Climbing back into Zagan the motorhome last week was a bit strange, like coming home after being away for a while. He hasn’t turned a wheel since we parked him up on return from our latest trip around France and Switzerland at the end of July. He hasn’t been totally neglected as Jay has spent a few weeks repairing his front bumper, but as we set off for a weekend away in him we asked each other – why didn’t we done this sooner?

We try to avoid campsites during the school holidays if we can, as prices rocket. But the schools have been back for a while, and although we’ve been keeping ourselves fairly busy with book writing, running, helping folks save money and tonnes of other stuff, most of that could be done anywhere. As we drove away from the storage yard a sense of calm descended on both of us, we no longer felt the pressure of ‘everyone else is at work, we should be doing something’ and instantly we were back in travel mode. The only difference being, on this trip we’d be testing ourselves at a 24 hour run. 

We were introduced to Equinox 24 by members of our running club who took part in it last year. In January this year we signed up to run (it sells out fast) in teams with fellow Kimberley and District Striders (KADS). The race can be run solo meaning you get 24 hours to run as many of the 10k laps as you can (the winner managed 19!), or you can run in teams of varying sizes as a relay. Jay opted to run in a pair with a running friend Dave Taylor and I was part of a ‘large team’ with six other runners. Included in the run entry fee are three nights of camping, so Zagan was dusted down, filled with water, loaded with running gear and high energy snacks and we went, arriving just as the gates opened. The run takes place in the grounds of Belvoir Castle, which was visible from our pitch for the weekend.

Members of our running club arrived throughout the day on Friday and set up tents around us in an area we’d managed to reserve with some tape, borrowed from a neighbour who had clearly done this before. That evening after we cheered on the beer runners (down a pint on the start line, then set off for a lap around the campsite) we settled in around our BBQ which acted as a fire pit and toasted marshmallows, trying not to think of what was to come. It was a clear, cool night under a blanket of stars, so we were very thankful to have Zagan’s heating on to warm us up as we headed into a comfy bed for the night.

Saturday morning arrived in a blaze of sunshine, we could tell it was going to be a hot one. After breakfast and much slathering on of sunscreen, there was a fun run for the kids following the same route as the beer run the evening before. Half an hour before noon we had a runner’s briefing, then all too soon it was time for the race to start and the first runners to take to the course. My first lap wasn’t until 4pm, so I had plenty of time to look around and cheer on the runners.

Jay and his pairs partner Dave were doing three laps each (30k or 18 miles) before swapping, so it turned out that Jay and I were both on the course at the same time. As the path wiggled around the grounds, there were quite a few places where you see runners going in the opposite direction, and luckily we got to see each other. The next 24 hours were a bit of a blur of cheering folks on, preparing to run, running and trying to get some sleep. My next lap was around midnight and had to be run with a head torch. Once again Jay was out on the course at the same time as me (running his second lot of 3 laps), but it was so dark all you could see was the head torches of runners coming towards you and a pool of light in front of you. I thought I’d be scared running at night (I had been on a test run a few days before), but there were so many people around, encouraging each other along and others wrapped in fairy lights that it was more of a party atmosphere.

Being in Zagan was perfect as it meant that we got to have a lie down in our own bed between laps, in a nice warm motorhome. We also made great use of the shower after each running stint and of course the loo before each run! Our fridge kept snacks and drinks cold for us, as well as milk for our friends’ baby, and a warm brew only took a minute on the hob. 

My final lap took place at dawn. I wasn’t sure I would manage three as I’d never run that far before, but with the breaks I found I recovered enough to go again. My legs were tired though, and as the sun lit up the castle and campsite, I couldn’t resist stopping for a photo. After that the weather turned and heavy rain showers soaked those running for the final few hours. Jay managed to set off on one final lap just before noon and in true Mastermind style – he’s started so he’ll finish. As final team members came in, the celebrations began. Our team donned our Equinox T-shirts and medals to cross the finish line with our last team member. As you can see from the smiles on our faces, we all loved it. 

Jay and Dave were one of the last teams to cross the line, between them having clocked up 210km and coming in the 4th pair from 70 teams. Jay personally ran 110km (68 miles), and felt remarkably OK. As the event offered camping on the Sunday night too, we decided to stay. We bid farewell to our fellow team mates as they left one by one and the campsite evaporated around us. By nightfall there were only about 10 tents or campers left across the whole field, it was such a contrast. As we lay in bed we could hear owls hooting where as the night before it was all cheers.  

On Monday, the sunshine was back. Braces of ducks scoured the former campsite in lines like police officers doing a forensic search, no crumb was left uneaten. We set off just after 10am and made our way south towards Rutland Water.

We’d had a message from Chris and Susan from Belfast who we met in Peniscola earlier this year. They were over in England to have some work done on their motorhome, so we arranged a catch up with them at Rutland Water Campsite. The edge of the campsite was filled with caravans, each with an awning doubling its size and all empty. We parked up in the middle and used the honesty box to pay the £10 a night fee. 

The site was right next to the circular route around the reservoir, so we went for a very, very slow walk to stretch our legs. We made it the mile and a half to Normanton Church, where I rewarded myself with an ice cream before heading back. Chris and Susan arrived not long after we got back, and it was great to see them again. We spent the rest of the day and a lot of the night catching up on how they are doing after going back to ‘real life’ after their year-long tour of Europe.

We had planned to stay at Rutland water for a couple of nights, but sadly on Tuesday the rain caught up with us again. The forecast was for it to carry on all day, and with Chris and Susan heading off to carry on their trip around England, we opted to head home. However, we both agreed that we won’t leave it long before we’re back in Zagan again for a few days exploring what there is on our own doorstep.

Ju x