Running: Off-road trail challenge to launch in summer (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Running: Off-road trail challenge to launch in summer

4:00pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Sport By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

AN off-road running event will be launched in the Lake District this summer by Nova International.

The Karrimor Great Trail Challenge will offer runners the chance to take on 10km, half marathon and marathon distances from Fitz Park, Keswick, on Sunday, June 17.

The course will consist of a long scenic lap, taking in views of Keswick, Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite from the path below Skiddaw, with a slightly shorter lap to accommodate the 10k trail.

The half marathon runners will cover one large and one short lap, with the marathon runners tackling two large and two short laps.

Pete Gostling, marketing manager for outdoor specialists Karrimor, who will sponsor the event, said: “The Great Trail Challenge seeks to entice the more adventurous of runners to take to the beautiful Cumbrian hills to embrace a new challenge. It’s great to be involved with such an interesting event right at the start and we look forward to working with the team at Nova.”

Nova also organise the British Gas Great North Swim at Windermere, which will be staged the following weekend.

Managing director Dave Newton said: “We are really excited about this new event in one of the most scenic parts of the world and the level of interest has been phenomenal. With three different distances there is a challenge available to all and we expect several thousand people to take part across the day.”

* Information: www.greattrailchallenge.org