Andrew Burgess Completes the Southend Multi-Storey Car Park Marathon

Some races are memorable for the scenery. Others are memorable because you question your own sanity while doing them.

Maidstone Harriers’ Andrew Burgess recently took on one of the most unusual events on the UK running calendar: a marathon inside a multi-storey car park in Southend-on-Sea, Organised by Sussex Trail Events.

Below, Andrew tells the story of the race in his own words.

Why I Wanted the Car Park Marathon on My Running CV

The Southend multi-storey car park marathon is one of the more unusual races organised by Sussex Trail Events.

There are times when I question my own sanity and Sussex Trail Events put on some madcap events. I’ve done:

• the Pier marathon (three times)
• the Tank museum marathon
• the Tunnel marathon

But the one I really wanted on my Running CV was the multi-storey Car Park marathon.

The last one had been in Worthing, about 8 years ago, prior to the demolition of said edifice, so I was all prepared to travel quite some distance for the event.

When it was announced that it was the Victoria Circus Shopping Centre in Southend-on-sea, I knew almost exactly what I was letting myself in for.

I’ve parked there enough times to go shopping myself, although the centre was much more upmarket than it had been in the 70s.

Race Morning

I left home at about 7.15. I knew the journey would take a fraction over an hour, and so it proved. I lined up to get my number, and was immediately joined by Paul German, all the way from darkest Dorset. The big question, on everybody’s lips was “how many laps?” 63!

Understanding the Course

The course was simple, but relentless.

Each lap included:

• 9 up ramps
• 9 down ramps

Across the full race that meant:

• 567 ups
• 567 downs

The rest of the course was flat.

I knew from past experience that there was no way that I would be able to run every slope, and that a lot of walking would be involved.

Finding a Strategy

Running the Early Laps

I did run all of the first 3 laps, before I started to walk the up-slopes.

Adjusting After 30 Laps

I kept going like this until I had done 30 laps, and then started to walk the flat bits between the up-ramps.

Managing the Downhill Ramps

I ran down every ramp for the entire race, but even there, there was an art to making sure I didn’t overdo the speed and end up running significantly further than was necessary.

My feet and right hip were not happy with me.

Keeping Track of the Laps

Little by little, the number of laps completed went up. I was grateful for the chip timing, as I lost count several times, and might still be there now. With what I thought was 10 laps to go, I had 74 minutes to make the cutoff time (6 hours).

As my running style was pretty consistent, I took the opportunity with each passing lap to work out how much time I could take per lap and still make it.

The Final Laps

With 33 minutes to go, I thought I had better check my official distance. Great news! It was not 3 more, but only two! There were still a few people behind me, but I pretty much had the run of the car park to myself.

“Sir” joined me for the final lap, and insisted on being awarded my medal, although the observant among my fellow lunatics would have spotted him holding a watching brief for the previous 62 laps.

After the Finish

After I had finished, I stayed to chat with those who were still around, before walking off to pay for my car parking. £3 for a day was rather better value than my £7 for yesterday’s parkrun.

But I still had to negotiate another 4 ramps to do that.

After I had finished, I went to visit my mother for tea, cake and a hot shower, before the drive home.

My Southend Running History

I have now completed 3 very different marathons in Southend:

• this multi-story car park marathon
• the pier marathon
• the Southend marathon (in 1984)

I’ve also done the 10K, the half marathon and completed two C2C ultras there. Does anyone fancy hiring the track at Garon Park so that I can bag another? There was talk about a return to the car park in September. I shall probably be washing my hair.

The Southend Car Park Marathon from a Runner’s Perspective

If you’re wondering what running 63 laps of a multi-storey car park actually looks like, this video gives a good sense of the experience.

It was filmed by Jonathan from the Running Ragged YouTube channel. The footage captures the unique atmosphere of the Southend multi-storey car park marathon, from the endless ramps to the concrete corners runners had to navigate throughout the race.

Video: A Marathon Inside a Multi-Storey Car Park

Congratulations Andrew

A huge congratulations to Andrew from everyone at Maidstone Harriers for taking on one of the most unusual marathon challenges around. From 63 laps to 567 ramps, this was certainly not a typical marathon day.

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