Early on, things seemed to be running smoothly before injuries and fatigue started creeping in. At what point did you realise the race was going to become more about adapting and problem solving? 

Chloe: The tough point for me was just before darkness when my knee started hurting and we hadn’t reached halfway yet. I think it was the stop-start nature of the race and running on hard ground that I wasn’t used to. 

Grace: Everything was going smoothly until we’d each run around 45km and Chloe’s knee started playing up. With Chloe unable to do much more running, there were suddenly a lot more miles for Rich and me to cover. We adapted our strategy and started swapping over every 10km. 

Rich: I can’t remember exactly when, but it felt fairly early on when Chloe mentioned she was carrying a niggle. My advice was to take a break, get a shower and try to reset. Unfortunatelyit didn’t settle down, so Grace and I moved to running two laps at a time. 

Chloe, how difficult was it mentally when your knee started causing problems, and what was going through your mind while waiting to recover enough to get back out there? 

Chloe: It was tough. I didn’t want to let my teammates down, but at the same time I didn’t want to pick up a long-lasting injury that could affect other races later in the summer. 

Rich and Grace were super understanding and really pushed hard to keep the team in the running overnight. I stayed up trying to help crew and keep morale high, but eventually got around two hours of sleep at about 4am. Looking back, I wish I’d slept sooner because I woke up feeling much better and managed to run three more laps in the morning to give Rich and Grace some rest. 

Was there a particular moment during the night where you felt the team had really settled into the challenge and found a way to keep moving forward together? 

Chloe: Rich stepping up to run back-to-back laps and Grace’s determination to keep going were the reasons we made it through the night. 

Grace: The night was all about adapting to changing circumstances. Every challenge seemed to require a new approach, but things finally came together in the early hours of the morning when Chloe and I were both able to get back out and contribute again. 

Rich: I don’t think I settled as such, I just found my legs again 😂 

The final few hours seemed to bring the team back together again, with each of you heading back out for final laps. What did that finish feel like after everything that had happened overnight and into the morning? 

Chloe: I was just so happy to be able to run again and contribute to finishing the race. 

Grace: There was a real feeling of pride and happiness when Chloe crossed the finish line on our final lap, along with a sense of relief that it was over. I think all three of us were looking forward to a hot shower and our beds. 

Rich: It was great having the ladies back out running laps with me at the end. What was even better for me personally was seeing Grace find the determination to come back for one final lap after having such a tough time. 

How much did the atmosphere at the Lake District Running Festival help during the difficult moments? 

Chloe: It was such an amazing atmosphere across the whole festival. I loved the fact that other races also used part of the 5km loop, so there was always someone different to chat to. Everyone, from the staff and volunteers to the other runners, was unbelievably friendly and supportive, and there was a real buzz around the event village. 

Grace: The atmosphere at the Lake District Running Festival was incredibly friendly and supportive. The organisers and volunteers were brilliant during the difficult moments, even when I’m sure they’d rather have been asleep. I also love how welcoming the event is, whether you’re an experienced ultra runner or trying something completely new. 

Rich: It was a real buzz running in and out of the event throughout the day and night. Seeing different people all the time helped, and everyone was really supportive of what we were doing. 

The people working the event seemed genuinely invested too, especially overnight, and that definitely helped keep me going. 

What’s it like running through the night at an event like this compared to racing during the day? 

Chloe: A lot quieter! Sadly I didn’t get to run any laps during the night because of my knee, but I loved being out early in the morning. It was so peaceful. 

Grace: Having never run through an entire night before, this was a huge challenge for me. The darkness, cold and rain were mentally taxing, and I was relieved when dawn finally arrived. 

Night-time running is full of highs and lows. The sunset over the lake almost brought tears to my eyes, and later I experienced an overwhelming sense of euphoria that I’m putting down to runner’s high. But the endless hours of darkness were tough to cope with at times. Unlike me, Rich seemed to be completely in his element. 

Rich: I’m probably the wrong person to ask because I love running through the night. There are far fewer distractions, so it’s just one foot in front of the other. 

Looking back now, what are you most proud of from the event? 

Chloe: I’m most proud of my teammates for running back-to-back laps to cover me when my knee started causing problems. 

Grace: Having struggled with persistent IT band issues for several months and being unable to run long distances, I’m proud that I managed to complete 85km as part of Team OMM. 

Rich: Not giving up and continuing to push on, regardless of what was happening. 

Did the race teach you anything about yourselves individually or as a team? 

Chloe: I really enjoyed the race and being part of Team OMM, but I think I’m still more suited to running in the hills! 

Grace: Even ultra running can be for everyone. 

Rich: Yes – it reminded me how much I miss being part of a team in sport. I loved it. 

Sum up the Grasmere 24 Ultra in three words. 

Chloe: Brutal, beautiful and unforgettable. 

Grace: Perseverance pays off. 

Rich: Whole lotta fun! 

Finally, will you be coming back to race at the Lake District Running Festival in the future? 

Chloe: I really want to come back and run the OMM Lite next year! 

Grace: Definitely! 

Rich: Yes, absolutely 👍 

What was the original plan heading into the Grasmere 24 Ultra? Did you have a strategy mapped out beforehand, or were you planning to adapt as the race unfolded? 

Chloe: If I’m honest, there was no real plan and it was always going to be about adapting as the race unfolded. One of the beautiful things about endurance racing as a team is heading into the unknown and tackling any issues together. I think we aced it! 

Grace: No plan really. We set out with the idea of taking turns running 5km at a time, but we knew we’d probably need to adapt our strategy as the race progressed. 

Rich: I’m not so sure we had a plan as such, but the main idea was to run at least two laps per hour for as long as possible. 

How did it feel standing on the start line knowing you had 24 hours ahead of you? 

Chloe: I just took it one lap at a time! I had no expectations of how far we’d get as a team, but I knew I needed to be sensible and not run too fast on that first lap. 

Grace: Excited! Having never done a 24-hour race before, I was blissfully unaware of how difficult the next 24 hours were going to be. There were the usual pre-race nerves, but the weather was good, the atmosphere was exciting and I couldn’t wait to get going. 

Rich: I was completely relaxed about the whole thing. In my head, I just thought we aren’t doing anything difficult, just running 5km each time. No point overthinking it, especially when it’s24 hours. 

Early on, things seemed to be running smoothly before injuries and fatigue started creeping in. At what point did you realise the race was going to become more about adapting and problem solving? 

Chloe: The tough point for me was just before darkness when my knee started hurting and we hadn’t reached halfway yet. I think it was the stop-start nature of the race and running on hard ground that I wasn’t used to. 

Grace: Everything was going smoothly until we’d each run around 45km and Chloe’s knee started playing up. With Chloe unable to do much more running, there were suddenly a lot more miles for Rich and me to cover. We adapted our strategy and started swapping over every 10km. 

Rich: I can’t remember exactly when, but it felt fairly early on when Chloe mentioned she was carrying a niggle. My advice was to take a break, get a shower and try to reset. Unfortunatelyit didn’t settle down, so Grace and I moved to running two laps at a time. 

Chloe, how difficult was it mentally when your knee started causing problems, and what was going through your mind while waiting to recover enough to get back out there? 

Chloe: It was tough. I didn’t want to let my teammates down, but at the same time I didn’t want to pick up a long-lasting injury that could affect other races later in the summer. 

Rich and Grace were super understanding and really pushed hard to keep the team in the running overnight. I stayed up trying to help crew and keep morale high, but eventually got around two hours of sleep at about 4am. Looking back, I wish I’d slept sooner because I woke up feeling much better and managed to run three more laps in the morning to give Rich and Grace some rest. 

Grace, what was the toughest point for you during the race, and how did you manage to keep going through it? 

Grace: The toughest point came at around 3am. It was dark, raining heavily and fatigue was starting to set in. More concerningly, the familiar twinge in my IT band was back. 

I handed over to Rich and collapsed into a chair, but having been unwell the day before, I was starting to feel sick again and couldn’t face eating. My clothes were soaked from the rain and I quickly got very cold. At that point I was too cold, tired and short on calories to think rationally, and I started to spiral. 

Thankfully Rich was able to pick up the slack while I rested with a hot water bottle (thank you Chloe for looking after me!). He kept things moving through the night until I was able to run again. 

Rich, as you ended up carrying a lot of solo laps through the night, what were those hours like mentally and physically? 

Rich: Tough, but I didn’t want to fall behind the other teams. I just kept reminding myself it was only 5km at a time. 

As a team, how important was communication and supporting each other once things started getting tough? 

Chloe: Me, Rich and Grace had never raced together as a team before, but I think we absolutely aced it. The way we worked together played a crucial role in the success we had. 

Grace: Team races like these are all about communication and teamwork. When things get tough, being able to adapt and support your teammates becomes crucial. 

Big shout out to Rich for running when I was too broken to carry on, and to Chloe for looking after me when I needed warming up and getting back on my feet. 

Sometimes a good chat is enough to keep you moving, but knowing when to stop is just as important. Thank you Chloe for persuading me to rest when my body was telling me it needed a break. 

Rich: Communication is key at every level in a team race like this. 

Was there a particular moment during the night where you felt the team had really settled into the challenge and found a way to keep moving forward together? 

Chloe: Rich stepping up to run back-to-back laps and Grace’s determination to keep going were the reasons we made it through the night. 

Grace: The night was all about adapting to changing circumstances. Every challenge seemed to require a new approach, but things finally came together in the early hours of the morning when Chloe and I were both able to get back out and contribute again. 

Rich: I don’t think I settled as such, I just found my legs again 😂 

The final few hours seemed to bring the team back together again, with each of you heading back out for final laps. What did that finish feel like after everything that had happened overnight and into the morning? 

Chloe: I was just so happy to be able to run again and contribute to finishing the race. 

Grace: There was a real feeling of pride and happiness when Chloe crossed the finish line on our final lap, along with a sense of relief that it was over. I think all three of us were looking forward to a hot shower and our beds. 

Rich: It was great having the ladies back out running laps with me at the end. What was even better for me personally was seeing Grace find the determination to come back for one final lap after having such a tough time. 

In a race lasting 24 hours, comfort and reliability become hugely important. What kit choices ended up working particularly well for you over the weekend? 

Chloe: Even though we had mixed weather, it was warm, so the Dyno Shorts, Bearing Tee and OMM Bumbag were my outfit of choice. Between laps I wore my Mountain Core Jacket, which is super cosy and kept me warm. 

Grace: I did the whole race in the OMM Trail Shoes. They’re really comfortable and the grip is great. I also brought the new OMM Ultra Shoes as a backup, but with no blisters or pressure points I never needed to swap. During the night I ran in the OMM Breeze Hood, which dried quickly between showers and worked well even when wet. 

Rich: I was really impressed with how well the Ultra Shoes handled different terrain. They were comfortable throughout and surprisingly responsive on the road sections too. 

You were out on the Grasmere trails through changing conditions, daytime heat and overnight fatigue with some heavy downpours. How did your chosen OMM shoes perform? 

Chloe: I alternated between the OMM Ultra Shoe and Trail Shoe throughout the race. Sometimes all you need is a fresh pair of socks and shoes to lift your spirits. The course was mostly flat, hard-packed trail and tarmac, so the Ultra Shoe really excelled and provided plenty of cushioning. 

Grace: The OMM Trail Shoes offered good grip and handled the mix of road and trail really well. 

Rich: Perfectly 💯 

How much did the atmosphere at the Lake District Running Festival help during the difficult moments? 

Chloe: It was such an amazing atmosphere across the whole festival. I loved the fact that other races also used part of the 5km loop, so there was always someone different to chat to. Everyone, from the staff and volunteers to the other runners, was unbelievably friendly and supportive, and there was a real buzz around the event village. 

Grace: The atmosphere at the Lake District Running Festival was incredibly friendly and supportive. The organisers and volunteers were brilliant during the difficult moments, even when I’m sure they’d rather have been asleep. I also love how welcoming the event is, whether you’re an experienced ultra runner or trying something completely new. 

Rich: It was a real buzz running in and out of the event throughout the day and night. Seeing different people all the time helped, and everyone was really supportive of what we were doing. 

The people working the event seemed genuinely invested too, especially overnight, and that definitely helped keep me going. 

What’s it like running through the night at an event like this compared to racing during the day? 

Chloe: A lot quieter! Sadly I didn’t get to run any laps during the night because of my knee, but I loved being out early in the morning. It was so peaceful. 

Grace: Having never run through an entire night before, this was a huge challenge for me. The darkness, cold and rain were mentally taxing, and I was relieved when dawn finally arrived. 

Night-time running is full of highs and lows. The sunset over the lake almost brought tears to my eyes, and later I experienced an overwhelming sense of euphoria that I’m putting down to runner’s high. But the endless hours of darkness were tough to cope with at times. Unlike me, Rich seemed to be completely in his element. 

Rich: I’m probably the wrong person to ask because I love running through the night. There are far fewer distractions, so it’s just one foot in front of the other. 

What was the standout moment from the weekend for you? 

Chloe: I loved how inclusive the whole event was. There were people racing hard at the front and others simply enjoying the experience and aiming to complete the challenge. 

Grace: It’s hard to pinpoint a single standout moment. Racing some fast competitors in the early laps, experimenting with different Pot Noodle flavours, the adventure of running through the night and the satisfaction of finishing the final lap were all memorable highlights. 

Rich: Getting to run as part of a team with Chloe and Grace was brilliant, and I’d love to do it again. 

How did the support from other runners, crews and spectators shape the experience? 

Chloe: Everyone was incredibly friendly. I’m not sure I passed anyone who didn’t smile, cheer or say hello. The volunteers in the Ultra tent were brilliant too and really invested in the race. 

Grace: The sense of camaraderie between runners, combined with the friendly competition, created a fun and exciting atmosphere throughout the weekend. 

Rich: The support from the other teams and runners was superb and at times it felt like we were all part of one big running bubble. 

Looking back now, what are you most proud of from the event? 

Chloe: I’m most proud of my teammates for running back-to-back laps to cover me when my knee started causing problems. 

Grace: Having struggled with persistent IT band issues for several months and being unable to run long distances, I’m proud that I managed to complete 85km as part of Team OMM. 

Rich: Not giving up and continuing to push on, regardless of what was happening. 

Did the race teach you anything about yourselves individually or as a team? 

Chloe: I really enjoyed the race and being part of Team OMM, but I think I’m still more suited to running in the hills! 

Grace: Even ultra running can be for everyone. 

Rich: Yes – it reminded me how much I miss being part of a team in sport. I loved it. 

Sum up the Grasmere 24 Ultra in three words. 

Chloe: Brutal, beautiful and unforgettable. 

Grace: Perseverance pays off. 

Rich: Whole lotta fun! 

Finally, will you be coming back to race at the Lake District Running Festival in the future? 

Chloe: I really want to come back and run the OMM Lite next year! 

Grace: Definitely! 

Rich: Yes, absolutely 👍