Portland hosts ultra-running world record attempt
More than 50 runners are heading to the island this weekend
More than 50 runners are on Portland this weekend to take part in a gruelling, official, Backyard Ultra event.
The Island is hosting a world-record attempt for ultra running at a new endurance event over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
Competitors must consecutively run the distance of 6,706 metres (4.167 miles) in less than one hour for as many laps as they can, as many times as they can.
Mark Steen, managing director of organisers BustinSkin events, said:
“The current world record for a Backyard Ultra event is 86 loops of 4.61 miles and every time we do one people are out there to break it.
"“We have got 52 runners who will all be taking part. They have one hour to complete each lap and when each lap is completed, the remaining time within the hour is typically used to recover for the next hour’s race.
“Over the weekend runners will be provided with a fully waymarked route, amazing marshals, ample camping facilities, including motorhomes, toilets and food on-site, a bespoke medal and the winner will receive a one-off winners memento hand-carved from Portland stone.”
This version of the ultramarathon event, called the Portland Pig Backyard Ultra, is a version of the Backyard Ultra which was the brainchild of Barkley Marathons director Lazarus Lake.
The aim is to complete as many laps as possible in a bid to break the current record.
This is the first time Bustinskin Events has hosted such an event and organisers are hoping to see people come out to support the runners.
Mark Steen added:
“We chose Portland because we needed a place we could fit everything for the rest area and the route, as well as being a nice place to be with the scenic views.
“The runners cannot have any outside assistance whilst on their laps, but people can spectate around the course.
“It is good to get off the ground with this event, we have people coming from all over the country so I’d like to encourage residents to get down there and support the runners.”
The event officially starts at 12pm on Friday, April 29, and goes on until there are no more runners who have finished a lap within the hour.
Bustinskin Events also hold a number of duathlons, triathlons, running races and aquathlons throughout the year.
Live results can be found here: https://www.timingmonkey.co.uk/results/Bustinskin/PortlandPig22/
To find out more, visit Bustinskin Events Official Website: https://bustinskin.com/