Marathon runners looking for an off-road challenge can now sign-up to take part in a charity run along the Millennium Way on July 19. The Relay team event is being held to raise funds for The Children’s Centre - but organisers also welcome individual runners who want to tackle the full distance on their own. Trophies will be awarded to the first male and female runners to complete the course which is around 28 miles – around one mile or so over the full marathon distance.
Lisa Motley, Endurance Events Fundraiser at The Children’s Centre, said:
“We know that the Millennium Relay route will appeal to a lot of the Island’s long-distance and ultra runners, so we wanted to give them the opportunity to take part on what is a fantastic course. There are trophies for the fastest male and female competitors, but we welcome runners and joggers of all abilities. We already have a number of teams signed up for the relay so there will be a great atmosphere and plenty of runners on the course to provide a great atmosphere. The team event is ideal for friends who enjoy fitness classes together, work colleagues, charity fundraisers, or teams from sports clubs. It will be a memorable experience for everyone who takes part, and we’re extremely grateful for the support from Canada Life International which is enabling us to put this popular event back on the Island’s sporting calendar. And we must also thank Up & Running in Douglas for providing prizes.”
The Millennium Way Relay was first held in 1979 when the Millennium Way trail first opened. Traditionally, it was on Boxing Day with the last event being held in 2009, but it is returning this year as a fundraising event for The Children’s Centre’ charitable projects which help children and families across the Island.
The Millennium Way Relay is for teams of up to four (so you can enter with a team of two, three or four runners) who will run the multi-terrain footpath from Ramsey to Castletown. Each of the four legs has its own challenges. The first leg, 11 miles from Ramsey to the Brandywell Road, covers a mostly undulating course across open country; the second leg is a 6 mile trail section mostly downhill to the changeover in Crosby; leg three is predominantly a uphill road section covering 4.5 miles; and the final 6.5 mile leg from St Marks to Castletown is mainly flat and across open country before arriving in the Island’s ancient capital. Winners of the team event will receive a trophy and each team member will also go home with a ?25 Up & Running gift voucher. There will be ?15 vouchers for the fastest man and fastest woman on each leg, and ?15 vouchers and trophies for the first male and female in the individual event.
Entry for the Millennium Way Relay costs ?100 per team, or ?30 for the individual event. Full event details can be found at http://www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/events/the-millennium-way-relay-2014/ or you can contact Lisa Motley by phoning 676076 or emailing LisaMotley@thechildrenscentre.org.im – closing date for entries is June 27.
Photo - The Millennium Way Relay on July 19 will offer some spectacular views for runners.
