ROYAL Manor of Portland Athletics Club (RMPAC) will be putting on their running shoes to take part in the longest in duration running event world record attempt.

The Great British Relay 2015 is the longest continuous running event in the world, lasting an incredible 740 hours, about 31 days.

The relay is split into 595 stages, during which a specially designed GPS baton will be carried by runners around the cost of Britain, 24 hours a day covering more than 7000km.

The South Cost stage is from Sidmouth to Sandbanks and RMPAC will be running the leg from Weymouth to Osmington Mills.

Jim Kenderdine, vice-chairman of RMPAC said: "We are thrilled to be running a leg of the world record attempt.

"The GPS baton is due to be handed over at Ferrybridge on June 29 at 2.03pm and as a club we have the responsibility of making sure it arrives at Osmington Mills by 3.18pm.

"A 90 second period is allowed for photo opportunities at each handover point but other than that the baton must keep running.

"We hope to get as many runners from our club as possible involved on the day and make a bit of an event of the handover in Weymouth.

"Our club has members of all ages and abilities and the leg will be run in such a way to allow all our members to join in."

Kingston Maurward College Outdoor Education Department are running the previous leg, from Langton Herring to Weymouth and Jim will be receiving the baton from the centre manager, Anthony Ray.

The RMPAC was launched in the 1980s.

Members meet weekly on Tuesday nights at Portland’s YMCA and train in and around the local area.

The club also train on Sunday mornings for their long distance runners to make sure they cater for their members’ range of abilities and experiences.

Jim said: "As a club we are really quite excited about the relay.

"It is the first time the club has been involved in something like this.

"The Osmington Mills to Winfrith Newburgh leg is still available and we are encouraging other clubs and individuals to put themselves forward for this and take over from us."

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830985

e: meghan.hindley@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @DorsetEchoMeg