AN ultra marathon runner was evacuated by a Coastguard helicopter from a remote area of Exmoor after he became ill and needed hospital treatment during the event late on Sunday, April 19.

The endurance runner was taking part in the 112-mile non-stop coast to coast run from Wembury, in South Devon, to Lynmouth, on the edge of Exmoor.

The event, which started at 8 am on the Saturday, had a 38-hour time limit which meant competitors had until 10 pm on Sunday to reach the finishing line.

However, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST) was alerted when the man fell ill in an isolated area of Exmoor on the Sunday evening.

SWAST called for help from the Coastguard and a search and rescue helicopter was sent from its base in St Athan, in South Wales.

It was nearly midnight before the runner was airlifted off the moors and flown to Taunton, where a Watchet Coastguards team had set up a landing zone in the playing fields of Queens College.

The Coastguard team helped to stretcher the patient to a waiting land ambulance to take him to the nearby Musgrove Park Hospital.

A Coastguard spokesperson said: “We wish the casualty a speedy recovery.”

The coast to coast run is considered a gruelling challenge because of its non-stop nature creating both mental and physical demands, and the harsh weather and terrain conditions faced by runners crossing both Dartmoor and Exmoor.

Thirty-five of the entrants, including the rescued runner, did not make it to the finish line this year.

A number of the runners received support during the final stages of the race to overcome fatigue and injury.

Organisers Climb South West said fully-stocked checkpoints with hot drinks and hot food were prepared to help ensure the runners were looked after.