Sensational Kellett lands national crown

ENDURANCE RUNNING

On Saturday 15th June at 12pm, Bernie Kellett of Kells Athletic Club took to the start line of the Belfast 24-hour Ultra Running Event.

The rules were simple: when the horn blows, cover as much distance in 24 hours as you can, around a 1.65km loop in Victoria Park, before the horn blows a second time at 12pm the next day.

With an initial target distance of 100 miles (161km), Bernie set off at her intended steady pace of roughly six and a half minutes per kilometre.

After four hours and 37 minutes, Bernie completed 42.2km, the equivalent of a marathon, and continued for another 90 minutes before taking her first of only three breaks in the entire event, with 57km behind her.

With the support of her two-person crew from Kells AC, Bernie slept for 10 minutes in the back of a jeep, grabbed some hot pasta and mince, and set off again after a break of just 20 minutes.

Approaching midnight, boosted by a visit from her usual running partners, Bernie covered an incredible 100km before taking her second break.

Comprising of a 30 minute rest, some chicken and rice, and a change of clothes into warm gear as darkness fell, she set off again with a cup of tea in hand for the second half of the race.

Shedding the cup and the extra layers, Bernie picked up the pace again and ploughed on completing lap after lap, sticking with her plan of taking on food or drink every hour to make sure she stayed hydrated and fuelled throughout.

Eating became increasingly difficult as the event wore on, and Bernie’s body, as a result of the immense effort and strain, began to repel solid fuels.

Switching to smaller amounts and constant grazing, her crew made sure to keep her fuelled, encouraging her to eat with the broader picture in mind.

Surpassing the incredible 130km mark at 4:45am, Bernie took her final break, sleeping for just under 45 minutes. She set off with her last hot meal in hand, still on track for her target of 100 miles.

What Bernie didn’t know, but her crew had realised, was at this point Bernie was in second place overall, very soon to become first place as her closest competitor stopped for a break.

Boosted by the visit of another running companion, Bernie fought against the aches and pains, remaining determined to reach her goal.

At 9:21am on Sunday morning, after 21 hours and 21 minutes of running, Bernie reached the milestone of 100 miles (161km), becoming a member of an exclusive club of runners who have completed 100 miles of running in a single event.

From this point, now in pursuit of a possible medal, Bernie’s crew worked with her to tick off lap after lap, making sure she kept going for the full 24 hours.

At 12pm, the final horn sounded, and with just over 106 laps completed, Bernie had covered 175.04km, joined the 100 mile club, won the Belfast 24hr Event and was crowned the Ladies 24hr Irish National Champion for 2024.

The mental strength, resilience, and determination that Bernie showed throughout the 24 hours was second to none.

When her body was shutting down, refusing food and beginning to ache, she kept going with a razor sharp focus on her goal, and ultimately taking home the national title.