Continental Thunder Run 24Hr

VR24 - VIRTUAL RUNNING CHALLENGE

This year’s 12^th edition of the ContiThunderRun had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, however, all was not lost! The first VR24 – Virtual Running Challenge took place from midday on Saturday 18^th July to midday 19^th July. It was simple – run as much as you can during this time. Personal challenges were set by runners from all walks of life to conquer their 24 hour challenge. Some took up running during lockdown hitting their first ever 10km, through to experienced runners with two managing to cover more than 100 miles within the time limit. Congratulations to Dylan Gould who achieved 100.5 miles and Darren Bentley who achieved 109 miles! We hope you still have some power in those legs to take on the My Prudential RideLondon 100 mile challenge!

Two lucky runners won a pair of adidas trainer featuring our Continental rubber soles. Congratulations to Lizzie Tovey and Patrick Schalbetter for their fantastic achievements and inspiring stories.

Lizzie's Story

Lizzie Tovey

“I’m a visually impaired runner. I only started running in 2018. I run with the help of a guide and, right from the start, I completely fell in love with running and I also love a challenge. I went from couch to marathon in 12 months so that I could run the London Marathon with my guide runner Corin where we raised enough money to sponsor a guide dog.

TR24 would have been my biggest challenge to date. I had signed up for the solo, but only having limited sight in my left eye, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. Luckily a wonderful friend Becky offered to guide me and the brilliant TR24 organisers agreed - we were all set – or so we thought! And then wham!! Life threw me another curve ball! Sadly, on 5th Feb this year after being unwell since Christmas, I was diagnosed with a really aggressive form of breast cancer and have been undergoing chemo ever since. Even with cancer, and all the treatment that entails, I was still determined to participate in TR24, but then came Covid-19 and shielding!

Thankfully VR24 was announced and I was so relieved. Participating in that event and having to stay active for it really gave me something tangible to focus on. As I had to now shield I couldn’t run outside, nor could I run with a guide runner. Luckily, I have a treadmill at home and so, on my good days, I set about walking as much as I possibly could on the mill (I call him Terry the Treadmill). I was also really fortunate that a number of my running buddies and guides offered to connect with me virtually via various platforms, so that when they exercised outside I got on the mill and we chatted – it made the training fly.

To make the training even more fun we often dressed in fancy dress too, we’ve had nuns on the run, 80’s, superheroes, flamingo’s, fruit hats, divers helmets, wigs, cowboys and Indians and even 118 costumes. It certainly made it fun. To help focus my training even more for VR24 I also took part in the 2.6 challenge for the RNIB. I’d originally planned to walk a marathon distance on the treadmill between chemo cycles 4 and 5 (19 days) whilst virtually connected to friends. But I ended up doing over double that distance and raising lots of money too!

Lizzie Tovey

On the day of the actual event I’d set myself a target of doing a half marathon distance over the 24 hour period (which is way less than I would have done had I been well). In the end I managed over 16 miles during 3 stints. I’d originally thought I’d have to do the whole lot on the mill, but luckily, even when shielding, we are allowed out to exercise now. So I only ended up doing one run on the mill. The others I did outside with the help of my husband who was able to guide me. We even did a socially distanced night trail run in the dark and pouring rain with our friend Cheryl and Becky, who would have been my original guide for TR24 – now that was special.

VR24 has really been my salvation during what can only be described as one of the darkest times of my life. Not only did it provide me with aim and focus but it introduced me to a wonderful new family of virtual runners. I’ve loved being part of the VR24 community and following everyone’s training and brilliant achievements.”

The VR24 community made the weekend. From support, appreciation and camaraderie friendships were forged and old friends managed to come together too (socially distanced!) We can’t wait to have everyone running together again at ContiThunderRun 2021 when, fingers crossed, things will be back to normal.

SAVE THE DATE CONTINENTAL THUNDER RUN IS BACK AT CATTON PARK ON 24th & 25th July 2021

Conti Thunder Run is the original 24hr trail running race. Whether you run solo or in a relay team of 2-8, it’ll test your tactics, endurance, speed and teamwork.

The much loved 10km course at Catton Park features plenty of interest, with a whole host of varied terrain and surfaces to keep you wanting to get in one more lap. From technical woodland trails to fast gravel tracks - and everything in between - the challenge keeps on changing, come rain or shine as we go from daylight, to dusk, into the darkness and back again.

Conti Thunder Run is a very inclusive challenge, with an incredibly supportive atmosphere made all the more special with a full programme of additional activities and entertainments, plus the most amazing campsite camaraderie.

Come and be part of Conti Thunder Run 2021 and see what you can achieve.

ENTRIES FOR THE 2021 CONTI THUNDER RUN ARE NOW OPEN

Book your slot for 2021 now. Click Here

Solo: £92.50
Pairs: £140.00
Small Teams (3-5 people): £70.00 per runner
Large Teams (6-8 people): £70.00 per runner
Thunder Run 10K £18.00

Please note: All entry fees are subject to a 3% booking fee.

Entries tend to sell fast so it pays to be prepared with your team’s details. The information you will need to complete your entry are:

Team name
Team captain’s name and contact details
Additional team members’ names and at least one other contact email address (these can be added & amended later if required)
T-shirt size for each runner
Card details for payment

What’s included?

Race entry
Top Quality Tech Tee
Finishers Medal
Water Stations
Site entertainments and activities, including Yoga session, sports massage, live music and much more
Under 14s fun run for the kids
Camping and facilities (toilets, hot showers) for the entrant and their supporters

adidas and Continental

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Discover more

Continental / adidas high performance trainers

Tyre soles made of tyre technology - innovation and tradition

The cooperation with adidas started in 2007 at a workshop. Adidas were working on a project to increase the grip of their shoes. In the search for a competent partner from the rubber industry , the choice quickly fell to Continental. "Initial test samples confirmed our assessment that we can make improvements to previous soles," recalls Fabian Dettmer of Continental.

Soles for marathon shoes, running shoes, outdoor shoes and hiking boots - with our tyre technology - have been part of the adidas repertoire since the cooperation.

View our range of tyres

All you need to know about Continental Thunder Run 24Hr

Thunder Run 10K

The Thunder Run 10K is a stand alone race completing one lap of the course starting at 9am on the Saturday morning.

The Conti Thunder Run 24Hr is held at Catton Park, Catton, Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire DE12 8LN

Directions for how to get to Conti Thunder Run 24Hr.

If you're competing at the Conti Thunder Run 24Hr you'll need to know this year's timetable of events.

All competitors must read the following camping information.

Useful information to help make your Conti Thunder Run experience go smoothly.

All competitors must read the following Race information and rules.

If you'd like more information about the Conti Thunder Run 24Hr then get in touch. We're happy to answer your questions, receive feedback about the race and supporting media.