Forty-six runners start inaugural 81-mile Pilgrim's Reckoning ultra marathon

The inaugural Pilgrim's Reckoning ultra-marathon began at 18:00 BST in Bedfordshire. The 81-mile event features 46 participants running a route inspired by the John Bunyan Trail, which connects various churches associated with the 17th-century author. Competitors are scheduled to pass through several local villages, including Meppershall and Ampthill, before finishing back in Bedford on Sunday. Organized by Sarah Groves, the race seeks to highlight the rural while challenging runners with a course that intensifies in difficulty over the distance. Several participants are using the event to raise funds for charitable organizations, including Save the Rhino International and the homelessness charity Hope Works.

• 5:11 AMYahoo Sports — Pilgrim's trail inspires 81-mile ultra run