MORE than 160 runners went the extra mile in aid of Southend’s homeless, taking part in the Harp24 relay race.

They competed in the 24-hour event around a 4.2mile circuit starting at Westcliff Rugby Club, split into teams of up to eight.

A few even ran solo, with Nathan Taylor covering 105 miles to win the men’s individual race and Jo Bidston completing 100 miles to take the women’s event.

Lucy Martin, community fundraising manager for Southend homeless charity Harp, said: “The runners were very committed considering the conditions were difficult because of the heat. We hope to raise more than £7,000 from the event, for which everyone was full of praise.”