MARLBOROUGH residents took part in what could be the world's longest non-stop relay on Friday. 

The event took place in an effort to raise awareness of climate change ahead of next month's United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as COP27.

The conferences take place every year and allow world leaders to assess progress in dealing with climate change. 

In Wiltshire, residents ran through the town carrying a baton containing a message about the crisis from young people, to eventually be delivered to COP27 in Egypt.

Wiltshire Times: Map of the relay routeMap of the relay route (Image: Public)

Sam Noble set off at 12.30am and was joined later by resident Damian Hall at Avebury and Emily Scott from the relay's support crew.

Both arrived at 6.30am in George Lane car park in Marlborough at the end of stage 137,  of 177 in the UK, to hand over the baton to Paul Sands and Mark Hedley who then set off to run 10km of the next stage to The Bell at Ramsbury.

The runners were just four of thousands of people who are volunteering to run, cycle or sail sections of the whole Running Out of Time Relay through 18 countries.

Sam said: "Like a lot of people, I'm frustrated with global governments and their lack of will to make a change.

“The relay is getting attention- lots of schools have been involved, organisations, local councils, so hopefully it's getting attention and putting pressure on the right people."

Wiltshire Times: Sam Noble (who ran through the night from 12.30am) & Damian Hall at the baton handover in George Lane car park where the Marlborough Community Fridge is. They ran stage 137 which started at The Red Lion in Avebury and ended in the car park. Sam Noble (who ran through the night from 12.30am) & Damian Hall at the baton handover in George Lane car park where the Marlborough Community Fridge is. They ran stage 137 which started at The Red Lion in Avebury and ended in the car park. (Image: Public)

Mark Hedley was running stage 138 to represent Marlborough Community Fridge.

He said: "It's a great community project as it shares surplus food for free around Marlborough.

“I wanted to take part in the relay to show support to my fellow volunteers who run the community fridge, and the relay seemed like a fun way to get out the message to the public and to decision makers about the need to tackle climate change now." 

Members of the public are being asked to sign it to show their support and help reach the target of 250,000 signatures. 

The relay route passed through Marlborough to highlight the innovative climate action that is taking place through the Marlborough Community Fridge.

Wiltshire Times: Donation for the Marlborough Community Fridge from WaitroseDonation for the Marlborough Community Fridge from Waitrose (Image: Carbon Copy)

A spokesperson for the event said: “Marlborough Community Fridge is an outstanding example of the types of projects that the relay message is urging world leaders to support and it's hoped that by showcasing it in the relay, other communities will be inspired to copy it."

The relay started last Friday in Glasgow and will reach Dover on today (October 9) where it will then head into France. 

You can read the message that is being delivered to world leaders here.