Second Chance For Kielder Hopefuls

30 JUN2010

Former British Olympic champion, Sally Gunnell OBE, has teamed up with Steve Cram to launch exciting new family and team events to be held on the weekend of the first ever Kielder Marathon (October 16/17 2010). In addition to the main marathon event, visitors will now have the chance to take part in the Kielder Run-Bike-Run, a running and cycling relay event and the Kielder Junior Run for children aged seven to 15.

Sally Gunnell, the former 'golden girl' of British athletics, remains the only woman to have held the European, World, Commonwealth and Olympic 400m hurdles titles at the same time. She said, "I've heard Kielder Water & Forest Park is an amazing part of Northumberland and an ideal setting for a marathon. For people like me with children it's superb to see events being organised that can involve everyone in the family and allow you to really make a weekend of it."

Those disappointed not to secure a place in the main marathon can join forces with colleagues, family members or friends and enter the Kielder Run-Bike-Run event taking place the Saturday before the day of the marathon. Teams of three (over 16s) will complete an 11km run, 26km bike ride and a 5km run.

The children's events are in three separate age categories and will be held while the marathon is underway on the Sunday. The Osprey is an 800m run for under 10's (minimum age seven), The Roman Mile will see under 13's compete over 1.48km and The Centurion is a 2.5km race for under 16's.

Online entries for these events open today on the Kielder Marathon website.