UK’s First Fully Underground Marathon Held in Historic D-Day Bunker

Approximately 100 individuals participated in a marathon event, completing laps within a subterranean bunker from World War Two. This event is considered to be the inaugural fully underground marathon in the United Kingdom. The race, which took place on Saturday, utilized the UCAP Airsoft tunnels situated close to Portsmouth. These tunnels previously served as the Royal Navy’s subterranean command center, instrumental in monitoring troops during D-Day operations. For safety reasons, participants were mandated to wear helmets and head torches, as certain segments of the course were either unilluminated or featured low overhead clearances. Laura Watts, an ultra marathon runner who secured the women’s trophy, characterized the competition as “brilliantly bonkers”. Watts, a resident of Bognor Regis, commented: “This is the first marathon I’ve ever won.” She further reflected on the historical context, stating: “In 1944 there were 700 staff working underground here. I bet they never dreamed that, 80 years later, 100 people would be running a marathon in there.” The men’s trophy was claimed by Michael Burke of Haywards Heath, who finished the 91 laps in a time of 3 hours and 42 minutes. Jay McCardle, representing the organizing body Sussex Trail Events, declared the event a success. McCardle noted specific occurrences during the race: “One person kept hitting their head and a few people showed me scratches on their helmets.” He also observed the participants’ attire, adding: “About half the runners were in fancy dress. It was very good, I cannot fault it.” Sussex Trail Events, established by Jay alongside fellow running enthusiasts Danny Cunnett and Chris Ette, focuses on organizing marathons in distinctive venues such as prisons, piers, museums, and multi-storey car parks. Jay, who hails from Worthing, mentioned that the three founders are continuously seeking out unconventional locations. Among the recent proposals are a decommissioned mine, an office building’s rooftop, and an additional tunnel, specifically one located beneath a river. BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight is available for follow on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Details regarding their approach to external linking are provided.