Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!

Mayday! mayday! Mayday! - Back on the radar

Brace yourself, as we have been cleared for take off once more for our second 100 mile endurance event, back at Manston Aiport, Ramsgate. This time we are also introducing a 100k event.

All Mayday events will be chip timed!

Time to get ready for flying feet and join us in which is sure to be a unique running adventure. Ever fancied running down an airport runway? Wondered what it would be like to have an aid station in a control tower? Ponder no more as we bring you MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! at Manston Airport.

Manston Airport has one of the longest runways in the UK and is steeped in history dating back to WW1.

As part of what will be a truly unique weekend of running, will we also be offering a 100K endurance event, an 8 hour challenge event and a pacer entry specifically to help pace runners through the after dark mission, please see below for more details.

Finishers of the epic 100 mile endurance will earn a bespoke buckle and an epic shirt designed by the fabulous Jen Osborne-Clamp. Finishers of the 100K event will earn a 100k medal, challange and pacer finishers will earn a different bespoke medal

Course details

The course is nice and flat with potential for some cracking times, fantastic for those attempting their first 100 miler.

The course is planned to start around the perimeter of the airport hopefully all on concrete with maybe just a tiny little bit of grass before turning onto the 2752 metre runway then just under 1 mile back to base camp. Each loop is approx 6.67 miles meaning to secure your finishers Buckle you will need to record 15 laps.

100 Mile Endurance Event

Time limit - You will get a 32 hour time limit, start is 8am on Saturday, cut off is strictly 4pm on Sunday. This allows a generous pace of over 19 minutes per mile.
Simple navigation - These are simple loops around the area surrounding the airport and down the runway. This route so flat, we anticipate that the total elevation for the whole event to be around 400 metres!
Kit - Lights are compulsory between the hours of 8pm til 5.30am, you will need spares/batteries/means of charging. Bring changes of clothes ready for any change of weather and whatever you need to fuel yourself.
Aid Station - We will have an epic aid station running through the entirety of the event, providing, hot and cold food and drinks, we do ask that you bring your own fuel provisions and use the aid station as a top up. We'd love to provide you with breakfast, lunch and dinner for 2 days, however this simply is not feasible! You will pass the aid station once per loop.

For every finisher that completes the full 100 miles you will get an epic Buckle, finishers shirt and goody bag!

We appreciate that the reality of 100 milers is that sadly not everyone finishes, but do not fear if you decide to call your run early we will record however many full laps you have completed and you will receive the challenge medal instead.

100K Endurance Event

Time limit - You will get a 24 hour time limit, start is 8am on Saturday, cut off is strictly 8am on Sunday (24hr challenge ends at 8am not last lap by 8am)
Simple navigation - These are simple loops around the area surrounding the airport and down the runway. This route so flat, we anticipate that the total elevation for the whole event to be around 400 metres!
Kit - Lights are compulsory between the hours of 8pm til 5.30am, you will need spares/batteries/means of charging. Bring changes of clothes ready for any change of weather and whatever you need to fuel yourself.
Aid Station - We will have an epic aid station running through the entirety of the event, providing, hot and cold food and drinks, we do ask that you bring your own fuel provisions and use the aid station as a top up. We'd love to provide you with breakfast, lunch and dinner for 2 days, however this simply is not feasible! You will pass the aid station once per loop.

If for any reason you cannot complete the 100k, you will receive a goody bag and a pick of lucky dip medals.

Pacer Entry 8pm

Want to be part of the fun, but unable to commit to the 100? You will have the chance to enter our pacer challenge. This starts at 8pm and will enable you to run alongside our 100 mile runners and support them through the night time, when they need you the most. You can decide what time to start, but your race clock will start from 8pm. The pacer Entry is exactly as it reads it is support for the 100 mile runners it is not a challenge event where you just show up and do your own thing (if this is what you are after then see the 8hr challenge). You could potentially run for 20 hours as a pacer until the cut off at 4pm on Sunday. Again, you will be rewarded with an amazing medal, no matter how far you run.

Time limit - You can start anytime from 8pm until the end at 4pm on Sunday.
Simple navigation - These are simple loops around the area surrounding the airport and down the runway. This route so flat, we anticipate that the total elevation for the whole event to be around 400 metres!
Kit - Lights are compulsory between the hours of 8pm til 5.30am, you will need spares/batteries/means of charging. Bring changes of clothes ready for any change of weather and whatever you need to fuel yourself.
Aid Station - We will have an epic aid station running through the entirety of the event, providing, hot and cold food and drinks, we do ask that you bring your own fuel provisions and use the aid station as a top up. We'd love to provide you with breakfast, lunch and dinner for 2 days, however this simply is not feasible! You will pass the aid station once per loop.

Challenge event 9am

Want to be able to say you have run at an airport but only want to do a lap, maybe a half or a marathon? This is the one for you our 8hr challenge option. Run as few or as many loops as you like in the 8hr time limit and you will receive bespoke finishers medal and a goody bag.

Time limit - This is an 8 hr challenge starting at 9am and finishing at 5pm (not last lap by 5 pm)
Simple navigation - These are simple loops around the area surrounding the airport and down the runway. This route so flat, we anticipate that the total elevation for the whole event to be around 400 metres!
Kit - Bring changes of clothes ready for any change of weather and whatever you need to fuel yourself.
Aid Station - We will have an epic aid station running through the entirety of the event, providing, drinks and snacks. We do ask that you bring your own fuel provisions and use the aid station as a top up. We'd love to be able to give you unlimited food, however this simply is not feasible as we have 32 hours to look after runners for. You will pass the aid station once per loop.

We will have a medical team in attendance in attendance for the whole event.

Key Information

Date :- Saturday 1st May through through til 4pm Sunday 2nd May 2027

Start :- 8.00am

Location :-Manston Airport

Manston Rd

Ramsgate

CT12 5BQ

Course :-6.67 miles (subject to change)

Events

8am 100 mile £100 - 48hr Flash Sale

8am 100KM £75 - 48hr Flash Sale

8pm Pacer Challenge - £50

9am 8 hour challenge - £50

Changes :- Please see section in event details as this event falls outside the "Fair Runners Policy".

pay here

Disclaimer

This event falls outside of the "Fair Runners Policy"

100 mile runners

Withdraw prior to 1st January 2027 you will receive 3 x race credits if you have entered full price or 2 race credits if you purchased a flash sale place.
Withdraw 1st January 2027 - 1st April 2027 you will receive 2 x race credits if you entered full price, or 1 race credit if you entered via the flash sale.
No transfers or credits will be given after 1st April 2027.

100K runners

Withdraw prior to 1st January 2027 you will receive 2 x race credits.
Withdraw 1st January 2027 - 1st April 2027 you will receive 1 x race credit.
No credits will be given if you withdraw the week leading up to the event.

8 hour challenge and pacer runners

Deferrals for the 8 hour challenge and the pacer challenge will shut 2 weeks before the event (16/04/27) as not only will we be super busy but we will by this time have purchased most of the supplies. If you deffer before this time you will receive a credit for 1 x standard entry.

Frequently asked questions

...

Depends on the event you enter, please see abov,

You will receive,

1) A really special finishers medal or buckle (dependent on event entered and finished), custom made and designed, not a generic one. 100 mile finishers will receive a special running shirt.

2) A yummy goody bag, packed with post race snacks.

3) A well stocked base camp situated in the control tower.with plenty of nibbles and refreshments for during and post race replenishment.

Where do I park?

There is ample parking, close to the registration area. There will be a small charge of £5( cash preferred please)payable on the entry gate to the airfield. All parking proceeds will all be donated to Thanet Disabled Riding Centre. Please note if you have anybody coming to support you they will also n

When do I get my race number?

You'll pick this up on race day morning from the race registration building.

Are there time limits?

Depends on the event you enter, please see above.

How are laps counted?

All events over the weekend will be chip timed, a first for Runbelieveable Challenges courtesy of our friends at Phoenix Running.

Do you have secure baggage facilities

There will be some room in the control tower and there is outside space as well, or of course the option of using your car for extra comfort and convenience. There will always be someone around but we can't guarantee their security.

Can I leave my own drinks/food at the Base camp?

Yes no problem at all, however we encourage you to leave these at your bag or car to save space at the aid station.

Trail shoes? Road Shoes?

Road shoes.

Is the course closed to the public?

Yes! We will have exclusive use of the runway, registration building and control tower. The only visitors we may have are helicopters who will take off and land in designated areas.

Supporters are more than welcome to pop along but will have to pay parking the same as the runners.

What on course facilities do you provide?

Water, squash, nibbles, starter, timekeeper and encouragement every lap! Base station will be well stocked for all runners.

Are there any facilities at the start/finish area?

There are toilets at the control tower (aid station).

Can I use an ipod or mp3 player on the course?

Yes. Though please be aware of your surroundings and other runners/spectators we are 99.9% sure no planes are scheduled to be landing that day ;)

Accommodation

There is a Premier Inn and Holiday Inn Express minutes away from the start.

100 miles or 100K - it's one hell of a mission!