Call From Crammy

4 JUL2012

Further details of this year's Salomon Kielder marathon weekend were announced today as former 1,500m world champion and event organiser Steve Cram challenged teams and individuals to test themselves on the stunning marathon course in the Run Bike Run event on Saturday, October 6.

Steve said: "With the marathon, a lot of people enter as a challenge to themselves but the Run Bike Run can be a team challenge or an individual challenge so it increases the competitiveness. We've had several teams enter from the same company and colleagues using it as a corporate challenge but also family members racing against their friends. It's an off-road course, a test for adventure racers and cyclists alike and for the team entries, a great way to be involved in Britain's most beautiful marathon weekend without having to complete the entire marathon course in one go.

Individuals or teams of three can tackle the challenging 26.2 mile course in the heart of Northumberland in the form of a duathlon relay event. The Kielder Run Bike Run follows the dramatic marathon route around northern Europe's largest man-made lake, Kielder Water, with an initial 11km run, followed by a 26km cycle ride and finishing with a 5km sprint.

Event organisers, DS Media & Events, and event host, Northumbrian Water, have both entered teams and are encouraging other businesses in the area to take up the challenge. David Groark (46) from Seaham in County Durham, is a project manager at Northumbrian Water: "Myself and two colleagues - Elaine Smith (37) from Whitley Bay and Brian Ford (44) from Hunwick - were keen to enter as soon as we heard about it because we love the destination and often take part in running and cycling events. We've spurred some other teams in the business to take up the challenge too. Let the battle commence!"

Entries for the Kielder Run Bike Run are now open at the event website. You can enter as a team of three or as an individual triathlete. Team categories are corporate, family or team. Entries are also open for the Kielder 10K on the same day Saturday, October 6.

The main event the Salomon Kielder marathon takes places on the Sunday (October 7) and entries are still available for the race billed as Britain's most beautiful marathon.

With the popular 10k, the duathlon and the Kielder Junior Runs for children aged seven to 15, the event organisers DS Media & Events have created a family-friendly event which offers something for everyone in one of the north of England's top outdoor locations. Kielder Water & Forest Park, which spans 250 square miles, is home to the largest forest in England. It was voted the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. For more information go to www.visitkielder.com.