The Warrington Way 40 mile Ultramarathon Race marked its 10th anniversary on Saturday, with strong community support from local running clubs, especially Lymm Runners – the organisers, while also raising over £400 for CALM, their chosen charity for 2024.
Around 500 runners took part – some doing the whole 40 miles, others in pairs or relay teams who split the distance between them. The race first took place in 2015, with just 100 runners.
The race has become a very popular fixture in the National Ultra Running Calendar with runner David Lindsay, who has completed all of them saying ‘All 10 have been superbly organised, have great volunteers and a fantastic community and support.
The Warrington Way has now become as traditional as Christmas in our house, which would have been a bit of a surprise if I had known that when I completed my first one!’
This year, Kieran Walshe and Chris Lees, Race Co-Directors, chose to celebrate by arranging special bottles of Warrington Way Ale and matching coasters for every finisher, plus a Warrington Way special towel for runners who had competed in all 10 of the races.
Winner Rory Harris being presented with his prize by Chris Lees Club Founder
Kieran Walshe commented: ‘The 10th running of the Warrington Way was a day to remember! Thanks to everyone who took part, as solos, pairs or relay teams. Thanks to all the volunteers from Lymm Runners who made it happen. And thanks to the Oompa Loompas – who raised over £400 for Cancer Research – and many others who entertained, ran popup support stations, and cheered the runners on.’
Additionally, two fantastic new course records were set. The first was from solo elite ultra runner Rory Harris who completed the 40 mile run in an amazing 4 hours 49 minutes, shaving two minutes off the previous record set in 2015 by Charlie Sharpe.
Wigan-born Rory said ‘I would have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the route. It has to be the flattest and smoothest race I’ve ever done. It was an absolute joy to be able to just zone out and practice running in its purest form, without having the usual hills or bogs to break stride!
I also felt a real sense of community in the race. Everyone from start to finish was incredibly friendly and helpful, the volunteers were amazing and it wouldn’t be the race it is without them. Well done to you and the Lymm Runners for creating such a fantastic race, I can clearly see it means a lot to everyone involved.’
The second record was set in the relay teams in a time of 4 hours 14 minutes – a massive 23 minutes off the 2016 record.
The eleventh event is now being planned for Saturday 8th November 2025, so if you, or any friends and family would like to know more, do follow us on our Warrington Way Facebook page or Instagram – or check out the Lymm Runners website at www.lymmrunners.org.uk
