Race Report: Round Norfolk Relay

“So why do you do it, then?” asked the lady at the bus stop.

I was waiting to get back to Hunstanton after my 14-mile run along the beautiful North Norfolk coast – one of seventeen legs that make up a 198-mile route around the perimeter of Nelson’s county.

I’m not sure I gave an answer that made sense to her – something along the lines of challenge, teamwork and mental wellbeing. I understand from an outsider’s point of view that running can seem like a strange choice of hobby, and the Round Norfolk Relay is a particularly strange event: a dawn start in King’s Lynn – morning legs through Hunstanton, Wells and Cromer – turning inland at Great Yarmouth as the evening draws in – night legs through Bungay and Diss – graveyard shifts through Thetford and Downham Market – before finishing back in King’s Lynn the following morning. Each stage is a different length, some along coast paths and beaches, some along roads, but all with a common purpose: getting the baton round 198 miles, unscathed.

Seventeen runners and a support crew of cyclists, drivers and timekeepers from Felixstowe Road Runners made it all happen, finishing in a time of 26 hours 50 mins. We were just one of 60 teams in this year’s event, which attracted running clubs from all over East Anglia. Felixstowe Road Runners have a long history with the event, having entered a team every year since 2007.

The ‘RNR’, as it’s affectionately known, is truly a unique event and always a privilege to be part of – there’s nothing like the feeling of satisfaction on hearing the baton has been carried across the finish line, and knowing you’ve done your bit. Now there’s a reason to do it, if ever there was one!