The Big Running Weekend
News Release / 14.03.2012
The Big Running Weekend is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK to celebrate trail running over a variety of distances and will comprising of a children’s fun run, 10K, 12.12mile trail race and a 55mile Ultra Tour of the Peak District.
The event will be based at Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, set in 138 acres of land on the border of the National Park, where competitor camping and registration will be located along with post-event party. The Trust, an educational charity providing a ‘classroom in the countryside’ to children in South Yorkshire, has organised a fun run and 10k race as part of an annual fundraising fayre for over 10 years . Accelerate became involved in 2011 with the ambition of eventually being able to deliver an Ultra Running event in the Peak District National Park.
With the event planning for the Ultra and the 12.2 in the hands of EightPointTwo, Adventure Event Organisers, the whole weekend promises to be one not to be missed.
Stuart Hale, Accelerate’s Managing Director said: It’s long been an ambition of mine to bring together people who love off-road running – whatever their preferred running distance – and celebrate this in a relaxed atmosphere with like-minded runners. We’ve plans for a motivational talk, party-atmosphere and overnight camping.” Debbie Smith, Co-Director at Accelerate, is from Sheffield and has spent many years running in the Peak District. “It’s a beautiful National Park” she said, “one of the most popular in England. It’s famous for its windswept crags and is a Mecca for climbers but I’ve always loved the diversity of the landscape and the terrain when running in the Peak District, and to be able to encourage people to visit my favourite places for running is an amazing feeling”.
“We’re hoping to make the Ultra Tour of the Peak District accessible to all runners with the ambition of running 55 miles – it could be your first Ultra or you could be a seasoned Ultra Runner – that’s the beauty of this route and event, it should appeal to everyone. The 12.12mile trail race and 10K are a great way for those taking their first steps into trail running to appreciate the difference from running on road”.
It is estimated that the fastest runners taking part in the Ultra Tour of the Peak District will complete the course in 8.5hours, after covering a total of 56.5miles and ascending 2722 metres (equivalent to just over twice the ascent of Ben Nevis). The 12.12 metre trail race is anticipated to take just over an hour to complete and features 433 metres of ascent.
The Big Running Weekend will take place across the August Bank Holiday Weekend, Saturday 25th to Monday 27th August 2012.
More information and entry details are online at www.bigrunningweekend.co.uk
Entry Information
Children’s Fun Run starts at 9:30am on Monday 27th August £3.00
10K Trail Race starts at 10:30am on Monday 27th August £12.00
12.12 mile Trail Race starts at 10:12pm on Sunday 26th August £15.00
55 mile ULTRA Tour of the Peak District starts at 8am on Sunday 26th August £75.00
4-Stage ULTRA Relay (mixed Teams only qualify for prizes) £120.00
Closing Date for entries is Friday 17th August 2012.
Preview Video
