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G66+ Live Supports Youth Racing

Rob Howard / 16.04.2008

On the 15th June 2008 Stobhill Hospital Hillwalking Club (Adventure Zone Scotland) is putting on an event called the G66+Live Adventure Challenge 2008 as part of the G66+Live Festival, held in and around East Dunbartonshire (the G66 Postal Code). This will involve local community groups representing their towns and villages by putting on events such as music, art & craft, theatrical and sporting events, which is the category the Adventure Challenge comes under.

The aim is to put on a race for both the youths and the adults of the G66 area (though anyone can enter) , and to increase public awareness of adventure sport. Organiser Robert Sanderson says he hopes, ”to open the minds of people to what they are capable of achieving and to what they are missing in the way of sport and outdoor activities, which they could be doing with very little or no cost a safe environment.”

The youths and adults will follow a route in pairs, mixed or same sex, and each pair can pick a fun team name of their own choosing. They can represent a club, school, community group, or just enter with a friend. The challenge will include running, mountain biking, paddling and other small fun challenges designed to help the teams learn more about their environment they are surrounded by.

This event is designed so it is about using brain not brawn, each team must go to a checkpoint on a map given to them at the start of the challenge. The map is easy to follow and stays on public right of ways at all times. There will also be volunteer marshals guiding the teams from one checkpoint to the next.

All mini challenges will have trained instructors who will advise the team members how to use any equipment required and the youth challenge is shorter than the adult challenge. To encourage young people to try outdoor sport, get fit and enjoy the environment entry is free to all youth teams (ages 14 to 16).

There will be a minimal fee for the adult team members of £25 per person. The event is open to all NHS staff and members of the public, not just in the G66 area, and is also now in partnership with Marie Curie Cancer Care to help raise funds for a new hospital in Glasgow.

G66+Live is one of the few Scottish adventure races taking place in 2008 and claims to be the only event with a youth category in the UK.

There is a short video on You Tube under the Adventure Zone Scotland name, which shows one of the groups previous youth events, and if you can find out more at here.