Race preview: The Wall (65 mile) - Cumbria and Northumberland, June 23-24, 2012
‘The Wall’ is a brand-new and unique ‘Ultra Distance’ run that will see participants traversing the frontier of the Roman Empire through Hadrian’s Wall Country, covering a distance of some 65 miles.
The route will pass through a land laden with history and will unfold against a backdrop of stunning Cumbrian and Northumberland landscapes.
The approximately sixty-five mile route starts at Carlisle Castle and finishes at the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, mixing city and countryside. It can be attempted either as a two-day challenge (‘Challenger’ category), with an overnight camp at the central section of the Hadrian’s Wall corridor near the famous forts of Housesteads and Vindolanda, or in a continuous attempt (‘Expert’ category). It is open to solo participants or as a self supported relay team of two, three or four.
The fully way-marked course, with many marshalling locations, traverses Northern England, almost from coast to coast. Participants will encounter varied terrain including grass paths, tracks and paved roads, rough ground and gates and stiles.
The event has been organised by the UK’s leading adventure sports company Rat Race Adventure Sports. Hadrian’s Triumph and Hadrian’s Wall Heritage are advising on a sustainable route for this very special event. A fundraising programme has also been initiated where participants can offset 20% of the cost of their entry fee in exchange for funds raised towards the upkeep of Wall Country and Hadrian’s Wall itself.
Jim Mee, MD of organisers Rat Race Adventure Sports believes that The Wall is a groundbreaking event for the UK.
“This will be an Ultra-Distance running journey like no other in Europe. You will be running the frontier of the Roman Empire. Hadrian’s Wall Country is also very distinctive: Bleak in winter, bold in summer, this is the UK’s Big Sky Country.”
He continued: “Our familiarity with the area has grown over the planning phases so far and we get more excited about it with each visit. The landscapes are vast, and the facilities, people and places on the route are continually stimulating.”
“The varied formats offer a real introduction to ultra distance running for people looking for the next level of challenge. It will appeal to both runners and fit walkers alike and a good basic level of fitness is required – but let’s face it – runners have had two thousand years to prepare for this Challenge!”
Click here to find out more
|
Hadrian’s Wall and Hadrian’s Wall Heritage
Built almost 2000 years ago by Emperor Hadrian, Hadrian’s Wall was part of the north west frontier of the Roman Empire. It is an amazing monument for many reasons – its scale, its survival, and the wealth of archaeology surrounding it. The Wall itself extends 73 miles (80 Roman miles) from Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend. It is one of the UK’s most spectacular, iconic and most visited tourist attractions.
It is part of the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site which extends for 150 miles from Ravenglass north along the Cumbrian coast through Maryport and Bowness, then east through Carlisle and Newcastle to Segedunum Roman Fort at Wallsend and Arbeia Roman Fort at South Shields. The whole area was highly organised. There were over 30 forts - including coastal and supply forts alongside 16 on the line of the Wall – plus civilian settlements.
Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited is a not-for-profit company set up in 2006 to coordinate the management and development of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site and to market Hadrian's Wall Country as a tourist destination.
www.hadrians-wall.org
|
