Sophie Power Smashes 48 Hour Treadmill World Record

British ultrarunner Sophie Power has set a new women’s world record for the most distance run on a treadmill in 48 hours. 

Power took on her challenge during the National Running Show in Birmingham, where she ran an incredible 365km, or 226 miles, in 48 hours. 

She began her run on Friday 24th January at 2.30pm and then finished to great cheers from a crowd inside NEC Birmingham at 2.30pm on Sunday. She passed the previous record of 340 kilometres (211 miles) early on Sunday morning, and had a few hours left to increase her new record. During the 48 hours, she only took minimal breaks for comfort and for short naps.

Power took on the challenge in support of SheRACES. “With this attempt I’m hoping to inspire other women to take on their own running challenge – whether that’s couch to 5km or their first ultra,” Power said before taking on her record-breaking run. 

Soon after stopping the treadmill, Power was up on stage at the National Running Show talking about her run. “This record is proof that when given the platform, we can achieve the extraordinary,” she told the crowd. 

Running on a treadmill was mentally challenging as well as physically, making it much harder than previous ultra-distance challenges she’s completed. “You don’t have the stimulation of scenery or fresh air to keep you going,” she said.

“It was tough not being able to nap or properly eat while trying to keep moving, and the monotony tested my resilience, but ultimately we can do hard things and that’s what I set out to prove.”

Last year Power set the record for the fastest time to run the length of Ireland, covering the 558km (347 mile) distance in 84 hours, again with the aim of inspiring other women.

SheRACES advocates for gender equality, challenges race organisers to provide better amenities and more inclusive run policies for female runners, and hopes to inspire more women to take part in running events.

You can sponsor Sophie and SheRACES here. 

Lead image by Wendy James