THE Quantock Harriers were in need of sun cream and plenty of water as they picked one of the hottest days of the year so far to take on a tough relay running challenge.

The Bridgwater-based running club had more than 40 runners take part in a 12 hour constant relay - meaning between 8am and 8pm on Sunday, May 31, there were at least three Harriers out running at any one time.

The club’s enthusiastic chairman Jerome Timbrell decided he would run the full 12 hours, to be running virtually with each club member to support their efforts.

He ran a looped course from his home in Spaxton for 12 hours and managed to run a staggering 37 miles.

The relay gave the Harriers a way to run together and working as a team toward a shared goal, while keeping to social distancing guidelines.

Due to Covid-19 and the lockdown restrictions, the Harriers have been unable to run together as a club since mid-March, however, that has not stopped them from keeping engaged and keeping on running throughout this difficult time.

Along their various routes the runners were cheered on as they passed other residents.

A spokesman for the Quantock Harriers said: “Well done to all our amazing runners who took on the challenge and got involved.

“It was certainly warm out there, but everyone was sensible and kept hydrated.

“We had a massive 41 runners out during the 12 hours and the individual mileage has been added together to give us an overall distance of 335.92 miles..

“We kept each other up to date with how the challenge was progressing with live videos and photos on Facebook.

“It was a tremendous effort given the heat.

“The day was full of encouragement and happy faces, and the club has never felt more together - if only in a virtual way for now!”