In December, ten of our top ultra-distance runners will be competing in the World 24hr Running Championships in Taipei. The goal of this competition is to run as many laps as possible on a 2km loop within a day.
The UK Athletics (UKA) partially funds the team, but they still need additional financial support to cover expenses such as flights, accommodation for the athletes and support crew.
To meet these financial requirements, the team has created a CrowdFunder. However, due to the higher costs involved in traveling to Asia compared to the previous European Championships in Verona, Italy, a smaller team will be representing GB&NI in Taipei.
In a 24hr race, the support crew plays a crucial role in the team’s performance. Each volunteer will be responsible for assisting two athletes during the race, managing their fueling, hydration, and cooling strategies. This becomes even more critical in warm and humid conditions.
Rewards for your support
The crowdfunding campaign offers rewards based on the donation amount. These rewards include one-on-one consultations for your own running, pacing assistance for your key races, and even a motivational talk for businesses making larger contributions.
Anyone who donates £5 or more will be entered into a draw to win prizes donated by the athletes themselves. These prizes include Centurion Running Training Packages by Robbie Britton, a sauna and run session with Dan Lawson, and nutritional products from Precision Fuel & Hydration.
Support crew during the early hours in Verona, taking a rare break between athletes. Photo: Paul Magee
Aiming to compete at the highest level
John Pares, the Commonwealth 24hr Champion and current team manager, expressed his confidence in the team, stating that they have a strong chance of winning team and individual medals in Taipei. These athletes are among the most dedicated individuals, and any support they receive is greatly appreciated.
“24 hour running is a demanding discipline,” says Robbie Britton, the current British record holder. “The time, effort, and toll it takes on your body are immense, all to see how far one can run in a day. Although unforeseen challenges can occur during those 24 hours, we are grateful to UKA for allowing us to send a larger team and have taken responsibility for securing additional funding.”
Photo: Paul Magee
If you would like more information about the team, the athletes, or want to interview any of our runners to help spread the word, please contact Robbie at [email protected]
The crowdfunding link can be found here. We encourage you to share it on your own social media platforms to help raise awareness.