Our team thrives on challenges, whether it’s conquering the Yorkshire 3 Peaks or braving the grueling 100-mile Arc of Attrition. When we set our minds on something, there’s no stopping us! Sporting events always ignite our team’s passion. We host numerous internal competitions, from monthly football matches to the 93km challenge and our exciting annual sports day. But the excitement doesn’t stop at work—many of our team members pursue thrilling challenges beyond Cromwell. Recently, our Business Development Manager, Adam, and our Marketing Manager, Josh, embraced the extraordinary Endure24 race in late June.
What is Endure24?
Endure24 is a unique and thrilling event, renowned as the UK’s biggest 24-hour trail race. As the name suggests, participants have 24 hours to complete as many laps of the designated 8km (5-mile) trail as possible. While one lap might be a challenge for many, Endure24 racers push themselves to conquer this course repeatedly throughout the day. There are no distance limits in this challenge—the goal is simply to achieve as much as you can. This makes the race accessible to everyone, from seasoned runners to first-time challengers. Participants can sprint, jog, or walk at their own pace, and the race can be tackled solo, in pairs, or as part of a team. To add to the fun, some even compete in fancy dress!
The Challengers from Cromwell.
On the last weekend of June at Bramham Park, Leeds, Adam and Josh joined over 3,000 participants to embark on their 24-hour sporting challenge. Both are avid sportsmen, regularly participating in marathons, hikes, races, and even boxing matches. Naturally, this event piqued their interest, and they decided to take on the challenge. In separate teams, the two Cromwellians geared up for the midday start, and as the clock struck 12, the race was on!
The trail led the racers through the woodlands of the historic Bramham Park Estate. With its undulating hills, the route offered beautiful scenery and much-needed shade in the wooded areas. Along the way, participants enjoyed views of landmarks like the Lead Lads Temple and the Roundhouse, popular tourist spots in the park.
Josh was part of a team of five from his local running group, while Adam’s team boasted 12 enthusiastic athletes, all striving to complete as many laps as possible. Both Josh and Adam maintained a steady pace alongside their teammates to avoid injury, tackling the roller-coaster course with its numerous peaks and troughs. Despite the 24-hour time limit, the racers took hour-long intervals and well-deserved rest breaks to recuperate before hitting the trail again. The mantra “race, rest, repeat” guided the racers, including Josh and Adam. As time ticked on, their efforts never wavered, and their endurance paid off as they completed the challenge at noon on Sunday, a full day after they began.
Josh and his team beamed as they crossed the finish line after completing 28 combined laps, with Josh contributing six of them. Adam matched Josh’s efforts, also completing six laps for his team.
Mission Accomplished.
The race itself radiated a vibrant ‘festival atmosphere,’ complete with camping out, BBQs, uplifting music, and refreshing beer to celebrate the finish. Fancy dress added a playful touch, making the 24-hour challenge not just an endurance test but a fun-filled event for all contestants. While to some, the race might seem like an unimaginable feat, Adam and Josh thoroughly enjoyed every moment, embracing the challenge with enthusiasm. Both gents, passionate about these types of events, are already planning their next sporting adventure. Remarkably, they even participated in other races just days after Endure24. Kudos to Adam, Josh, and all the other racers—what challenge will our team conquer next?
