Record Numbers Take Part In HARP24, Our 24-Hour Running Festival
This weekend a record 470 runners took on HARP24, Essex’s very own 24-hour running festival.
Runners undertook the continuous 4.2 mile lap around the beautiful Cherry Orchard Country Park over a 24-hour period, with excellent weather over the weekend. The event, which is in its eighth consecutive year, saw the highest number of runners yet coming together to help us raise funds towards our work to end homelessness in Southend.
An incredible 12,348 miles were covered by the runners, which is almost the equivalent of travelling to the opposite side of the world.
Last year HARP24 raised over £28,800K, and this year we’ve already raised over £23,000 and the money is still coming in. Dina Jobson, our Fundraising Manager said: “It’s always so fulfilling to have so many runners and volunteers come together to make HARP24 a success. The energy is high from the moment participants arrive until they leave over 24-hours later. Runners and volunteers alike are upbeat and motivated, even in the early hours of the morning when fatigue has kicked in. It’s so inspiring!”
She continued: “We're really hoping we can match or even beat last year’s fundraising result, so we’d like to encourage all our runners to send in anything that’s been collected. Thanks to our wonderful runners, sponsors and volunteers, this event is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and every single participant is literally helping us stamp out homelessness one stride at a time!”
HARP24 is a unique event welcoming all abilities from ultra-marathoners to fun runners, with winners in a range of categories. Third time overall winner, Charley Jennings of Rayleigh, once again took home the Female Solo award, covering a staggering 113.4 miles from midday Saturday to midday Sunday. Martin Palmer won the Male Solo category coming a close second place overall running 100.8 miles.
The awards were presented by Steve Johnson, Chief Executive of Ipeco, who have sponsored the event since it began. Other winners included duos Annie and Lloydy, Pair of LoSSers and Double Trouble 2, and teams RAT Racers, Cava 3rdCB Scouts, HTR Headcases, Lord Of The Relay, IncREDibles, Magnificent 8, BBs and Old Boys Club.
HARP are now busy counting up the money raised and looking forward to announcing the total amount raised imminently.
Photos will be uploaded to the HARP24 website soon.
