Despite running more or less constantly for 21 hours and being crowned the Bermuda Backyard Ultra champion, Florin Teleman is still feeling disappointed.

Teleman was named the winner after Philip Woollins failed to complete the 21st lap of 4.167 miles in the required time of one hour, but the last man standing wanted the opportunity to beat his personal best of 27 laps, which he achieved last year when finishing runner-up to Jason Williams.

“I was a bit disappointed when Philip pulled out,” Teleman said.

“We started our 21st lap together and it was a night loop. I pulled ahead and kept looking back trying to see Phil’s flashlight but I couldn’t see it and kept going. When I got back I was told to ring the bell and I was the champion, but I was disappointed as I really wanted to do 28 laps.

“My goal was to stay with Jason Williams, who won it last year. I was hoping he would stay around like he did last time but he didn’t go too far. We started with more than 100 but after 15 hours we were down to about 12 or 13 and it’s really hard to go far if you don’t have more runners because the competition actually ends when you are the last person.”

Having been on the move solidly for nearly 24 hours, it was a surprise that Teleman, who is originally from Romania but has lived in Bermuda since 2007, had not gone straight to sleep after the race, but his body was not yet ready to shut down.

“After all these hours I tried to sleep but I cannot,” Teleman said.

“I’m in bed with my legs up but I will be fine in the next 24 hours. I’m 44 this year and I don’t like to go fast, I like to go far. My loops always take 41 to 52 minutes so there is no time to sleep, just to maybe go to bathroom and have something to eat.”

This event, which is now in its third year, continues to grow with more than 100 runners prepared to push through the pain barrier at Clearwater Beach in St David’s over the weekend and Teleman is certain that the endurance race will continue to grow.

“The start was really nice as there were record numbers and 112 started,” he said.

“It’s nice to have runners to push you and keep you going. The atmosphere was really nice and the organisation was great. This is the third year and it is great to see it getting bigger.”

While Teleman was named overall champion, there was a notable effort from Katie Vanner, who set a new female record for the event in Bermuda after completing 18 laps.