I have never been able to understand how endurance runners find the time, energy and boredom threshold to compete in their sport. But it seems that one couple from Glasgow have met their match – and fully comprehend each other’s endurance running ambitions.

I have known Debbie Martin-Consani for many years and have witnessed her amazing achievements running ultra-distance events. I have interviewed her on several occasions and written about her incredible achievements, such as winning the 145 mile Grand Union Race and representing GB in the 24-hour World Championships.

Now her husband Marco Consani is at it. Already an accomplished and speedy long-distance runner (he came second in this year’s 95 mile West Highland Way trail race), he recently triumphed in his first attempt at a 24-hour running event.

The Garscube Harriers athlete managed to clock an incredible 154.1 miles (248km) in the SELF TRANSCENDENCE 24 hour track race at Tooting Bec in London last month.

In doing so, Marco, 38, achieved a Great Britain A selection when he passed the 234km mark.

In the same event, another Scottish runner Fionna Cameron (Harmeny AC) took victory in the women’s category and also achieved GB selection.

If you don’t know, the goal of a 24-hour race is to see how much distance you can cover in 24 hours. Marco circled the 400m track 620 times in the 24 hours. It’s mind boggling.
In fact, Marco has never run further than 95 miles in one go and in this, his inaugural 24-hour race, he also ran into third place in the Scottish all-time 24-hour list behind Don Ritchie (166 miles) and Mick Francis (155 miles). He is also now one of the top 20 all-time GB performers.
Fionna covered 134.1 miles (216.6km) with 541 laps of the track, which also places her third on the Scottish all-time ladies list behind Sharon Law (140 miles) and Marco’s wife Debbie (136.7 miles).

Marco told me: “Coming into the race I had two goals. The first was to try to beat Debbie’s 24-hour distance. The second was to try to reach the GB standard.

“I think the stars aligned for me on the day, as I went through the GB standard distance with an hour and half to spare.

“When I reached the finish line I was so overwhelmed I collapsed – twice.

“I can’t really think of the words to describe how I feel but ecstatic would just about cover it. I can still hardly believe it.

“It is thanks to so much support, including Debbie, that I have been able to achieve this dream.”

What an amazing couple.