A FALMOUTH man ran more than 100 miles over a 24-hour period to win the individual award in the inaugural Escape from Meriden race, writes Matt Dixon.

Ian Ferguson, aged 36, left Meriden, the central point of England, at midnight on Friday, November 18 and ended his marathon feat near Bristol Airport at midnight on Saturday.

“The idea is to get as far away from your starting point as possible, in any direction you wish. I had to put in something of a sprint finish to complete 90 miles and win the Black Crow award, which I managed to do with just one minute and 15 seconds to spare,” he said.

Ian, who has been a member of Falmouth Road Runners since taking up the sport just three years ago, began the race with his friend Loyd Purvis, of At Your Pace running shop in Helston.

Loyd had to withdraw after 20 miles when he suffered a knee injury, but Ian continued through Gloucester and Bristol to complete his incredible journey.

“Obviously I felt tired but I didn’t have to stop for a lie-down or anything like that. I only really rested for food and drink. It’s not like other races where people are cheering you on to the finish line. The only thing waiting for me at the end was the support van and a mug of hot chocolate.”

Ian had previously run a 64-mile race but he wanted to set himself a new challenge. “Psychologically it was very nerve-racking before I started, but as soon as I started running I calmed down and everything was okay. I was fairly confident that I’d be able to keep going for 24 hours.”

On the journey home he had a “bit of a doze” until he woke up for a food stop at McDonalds.

In completing the 90 miles as the crow flies, he won the coveted Black Crow, one of only three runners from the 120-strong field to do so.

As the other two ran as a pair, he won the individual award and now awaits his prize.

“It’s in the post, but I’m not sure what it is. I suppose it could be a stuffed crow!”

Ian runs with the At Your Pace Trail Running team and usually undertakes a weekly run of 20 to 25 miles with his friend Rick Keefe.

He said: “I was stiff the next day but my girlfriend Sam waited on me hand and foot. I think it was because she got so fed up with how long it took me to move around the house!” he joked.