Can You Tame "The Beast"?
23.05.2012
Technical sportswear brand, Helly Hansen has announced a major new two year partnership with renowned Hell Runner creators, TrailPlus, to bring a NEW trail running marathon to the UK. The first ever Beauty and the Beast event will be taking place on the 22nd September 2012 amidst the spectacular setting of Stonor Park in Oxfordshire, and is set to become one of England’s toughest off-road mar athons.
Combining stunning parkland scenery and breathtaking views with more than 1500 metres worth of gruelling ascents and descents, the aptly named Beauty and the Beast is an authentic, multi-lap event. Each lap will be just under 4.4 miles in length, culminating with "The Beast" – a monstrously tough final climb.
Whether an elite endurance athlete, passionate trail-runner, weekend warrior or general fitness enthusiast, Beauty and the Beast features an added twist to ensure accessibility to all sporting enthusiasts in search of a new challenge. Participants can choose to enter either a full or half marathon, with the additional option to submit teams of two, three or six for a collective marathon relay like no other.
With an event village situated in the grounds, general spectators, competitors and their families will never be far away from the action. Not only will all runners pass through the event village twice on each lap, onsite catering and entertainment from a resident DJ will be available all day to ensure the event is one of the UK’s most spectator-friendly marathons. For those choosing to kick back and relax, Stonor Park provides the perfect backdrop for a leisurely picnic in the park, whilst soaking up the race atmosphere.
When energy levels drop, a Refuelling Zone will be available to all participants. The Refuelling Zone has been set up in collaboration with Clif Bar, Nectar and For Goodness Shakes, who will be on-hand to provide energy bars, isotonic and recovery drinks. Free sports massage will also be on available to those wishing to enhance performance and aid recovery.
All particpants will benefit from state of the art chip timing to deliver fast, accurate results including each and every lap split, a finisher’s medal and goody bag on completion of the race and a superb Helly Hansen technical event t-shirt.
For further information please check out www.hellyhansenbeautyandthebeast.co.uk
For event enquiries please email info@trailplus.com or call 03332 400616
Entry fees:
· The full marathon (£37.50) – Runners will complete a total of three laps
· Teams of two (£32.50 per runner) – A half marathon per person. It will be down to the competitiors to decide whether to tackle the the half marathon in one go, or whether to swap over at the end of each lap. Each lap will be chip timed, and help will be on hand to keep track of how many laps have been completed.
· Teams of three (£30 per runner) – Two laps for each runner and it down to the competitors to decide who does what, when and in which order.
· Teams of six (£27.50 per runner) – A great way to get a group of friends or colleagues together to tackle the real marathon distance in an accessible way for those of more modest fitness levels
Onsite Facilities:
Portable toilets will be provided, but we regret that there will be no shower facilities. All parking is free and the event hub will be a very short walk from the car park. A supervised baggage and key drop area will be available, and will be situated close to the start/finish area.
About Helly Hansen:
Founded in Moss, Norway, in 1877, Helly Hansen continues to protect and enable professionals making their living on oceans and mountains around the world. Their apparel, developed through a blend of Scandinavian design and insights drawn from living in some of the harshest environments on earth, helps provide the confidence professionals need to step out into the elements and complete their jobs. The company invented the first supple, waterproof fabrics more than 130 years ago, created the first fleece fabrics in the 1960s and introduced the first technical baselayers made with LIFA® Stay Dry Technology in the 1970s. Today, Helly Hansen is the official uniform partner for more than 35 ski resorts and mountain guiding operations. The brand’s outerwear, baselayers, sportswear and footwear for winter, outdoor and water sports are sold in more than 40 countries.
To learn more about Helly Hansen’s latest collections, visit www.hellyhansen.com
About TrailPlus:
Trailplus is one of the Uks leading off-road sports event and challenge facilitation companies, creating and managing a wide range of own-branded activites, or those for a variety of sponsoring clients. Owner, Managing Director and former national-standard competitiive runner, Paul Magner set up the business in 2002 after nearly 20 years working in the running shoe industry.
Paul now oversees and impressive portfolio of acclaimed consumer events, including largest trail-running series - HellRunner™ an eight hour, off road ’enduro’ duathlon - HellRider™ and the TrailPlus Adventure Challenge Series. The 2012 introduction of the Helly Hansen Beauty and the Beast marathon challenge will see TrailPlus reinventing the classic marathon distance with a unique and memorable off-road twist.
About Stonor Park:
Stonor House is one of England’s oldest manor houses. Hidden in a fold of the Chiltern Hills, five miles from Henley-On-Thames, it provides a stunning location for the UK’s most exciting trail running challenge. As the home of Lord and Lady Camoys, the house and its grounds is steeped in 850 years of history. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the fine Tudor E-shaped house is surrounded by beech woods and rolling parkland. Magnificent buildings and country surroundings will provide a stunning backdrop to Beauty and the Beast event.
