There are easier ways to spend 24 hours, but Laura has never been one to choose the simplest challenge.
Returning for her fourth attempt at the Robin Hood 100, Laura covered an enormous 82 miles before her race came to an end. Although it resulted in a DNF rather than the medal she had hoped for, the distance, time on her feet and determination involved deserve huge recognition.
82 miles and 24 hours of determination
The goal was to complete the full 100 miles within the event’s 30-hour limit. Laura made it through 82 miles and 24 hours before her body slowed to the point where there was no longer enough time to reach the finish.
As Laura explained:
“It didn’t go quite to plan with an 82-mile, 24-hour DNF, purely down to my body slowing down to a crawl. There was not enough oomph to get to 100 miles in 30 hours.”
A DNF may look simple on a results sheet, but it cannot show the scale of the effort behind it. Covering 82 miles means continuing through fatigue, darkness and countless difficult moments over the course of a full day.
Laura can also claim one particularly impressive — if slightly frustrating — Robin Hood statistic. Across four attempts, she has now covered a cumulative 362 miles at the event without collecting a finisher’s medal.
“So that’s 362 Robin Hood miles covered with no medal. It’s got to be a record!”
Support from mile 52
Ultramarathons may be completed one step at a time, but the people offering practical help, encouragement and companionship can make an enormous difference.
Laura was joined by Sharon at mile 52, with her friend taking on the demanding job of pacing her through the later stages. Despite Sharon’s best efforts, Laura’s legs eventually reached the point where even marching towards the finish was no longer possible.
Laura described Sharon as someone she “couldn’t ask for a better friend” and thanked her for making the journey to support her.
There was plenty of encouragement coming from further afield too. Mickee and Geoff supplied banter and remote support through a WhatsApp chat, helping Laura through the long hours on the course.
Laura also thanked her partner, Andy, who continues to support her ambitious plans — generally, she says, with a knowing look when the next idea begins to take shape.
Thanks to the Robin Hood team
Laura expressed her thanks to Ronnie and all the volunteers who gave their time to support the runners throughout the event. Checkpoints and volunteer teams are a vital part of any ultramarathon, particularly when competitors are spending so many hours out on the course.
Despite the disappointment of this attempt, Laura is not finished with the Robin Hood 100. She has already put the event in her diary for 2028, declaring:
“Ronnie, full checkpoint hours, I’m yours!”
After four attempts and 362 miles, nobody could question Laura’s commitment to returning and giving the challenge another go.
Next stop: London in 2027
Before that fifth Robin Hood attempt arrives, Laura says she is planning something “smaller and more realistic” for 2027: the London Marathon.
Only Laura could follow an 82-mile ultramarathon effort by describing a marathon as the more realistic option, but 26.2 miles will certainly represent a shorter day out.
The Robin Hood 100 adds another memorable chapter to Laura’s endurance adventures, which have also included representing Team Birds 200 at IRONMAN 70.3 Tallinn.
A massive well done to Laura for covering 82 miles and continuing for 24 hours. It may not have ended with a medal this time, but it was still a remarkable display of endurance, friendship and determination.
London 2027 comes next — and then the Robin Hood 100 will be waiting once again in 2028.
