A Major Challenge

13 OCT2011

Saturday, October 8 saw the first Major Series take place at Eridge Park in Tunbridge Wells. The Major is a series of cross-country adventure races which feature unique military themed obstacles and challenges - the brainchild of the people who brought you British Military Fitness (BMF).

Similar to the atmosphere of a BMF park class, the event has a friendly, motivating and fun feel, and while challenging, the help of BMF instructors (the Major's troops) around the course make it an achievable experience for everyone.

800 runners came along to Saturday's event, putting themselves through their paces on the 11km(ish!)course, littered with obstacles ranging from horse jumps to muddy bogs.

One of the event participants, Leila, had this to say: "I take part in all sorts of races, from marathons to 5k runs, and this was by far the most entertaining and friendly - I loved the atmosphere the instructors around the course created and it kept me smiling and laughing!"

While another runner Ian, said: "Awesome, awesome!! Loved going over the horse jumps... the camo net over a wet (& muddy!) ditch... I was covered head to toe! The camaraderie was fab, kit hosed off, brilliant event..buzzing!"

Winning times were 54 mins 24 seconds from Keith Brewster in the male category, and 1hr 06mins from Patricia Salamanca in the female category.

Sarah King, Event Manager at BMF, believes that the event offers something a bit different in a market that is full of 5k and 10k fun runs, marathons, and triathlons, she told northernrunningguide.com: "The overwhelming feedback we get from all our events is about the fun, banter and camaraderie between participants and instructors, and we wanted to create an event that focused on this.

"The Major Series is a tough challenge but we believe that we have made it achievable and fun for all fitness levels by posting our fantastic instructors around the course to encourage runners and make it an enjoyable and different experience from them. There are no other runs on the market that have this level of camaraderie and we believe that it offers our runners a unique experience, allowing them to truly enjoy a tough physical challenge."

The Major Series continues this weekend in Leeds; proving popular with adventure enthusiasts in the area it is a sell out ahead of race day! If tackling obstacles and jumping in mud sounds like your kind of thing then you might want to consider the Midlands event on October 22 in Shropshire? The Series will be back in March and October 2012.

More information can be found at the event website and Facebook page.