DIO supports inaugural Imber Ultra Marathon
Charity fundraisers got a big boost in organising the first Imber Ultra Marathon – thanks to staff from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) providing information and guidance to support the race across Salisbury Plain.
The race was jointly organised by Avon Valley Runners and Westbury Rotary Club, providing the expertise and enthusiasm for such an event. DIO supplied key guidance on rights of way and byelaws, enabling route selection and accurate risk assessments, and took the lead in helping to notify other Plain users of the event.
A 32-mile ‘ultra-marathon’, the event saw runners race around a route which included the Imber Range Perimeter Path. The path, which is open to the public, skirts the firing range at Imber. All 80 runners who started the race successfully completed the event.
The event raised more than £2,300 for Whizz Kidz and local charity Dorothy House Hospice Care. Feedback from competitors was very positive, helped by the sunny weather, and organisers hope the Imber Ultra will return in 2015.
Colonel Steven Carrington, one of the organisers said:
“We raised lots of money for our charities and would like to run the event again next year, when we anticipate more participants. We couldn’t have done it without the support of DIO staff so we’re very grateful. I’d particularly like to thank Lt Col (Retd) Nigel Linge, who provided lots of information and advice.”
Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) is maintained by DIO, which delivers the training service, enabling Defence training users to live, work, train and deploy at home and overseas.
Talking about the event Lt Col (Retd) Nigel Linge, Training Safety Officer at SPTA, said:
“Whilst DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces as they prepare for operations, Salisbury Plain is a diverse training area which also offers the ideal terrain and landscape for a range of non-military events and activities.
“I was pleased that we were able to assist in the organisation and facilitation of the first Imber Ultra marathon and hope that we’re able to support the event again in future years.”
Ends
Further information:
Press enquiries to Tony Moran, Senior Communications Officer 0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
Twitter: @mod_dio
Read DIO’s blog: https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/
Notes to Editors
1. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) plays a vital role in supporting our Armed Forces by building, maintaining and servicing what the men and women who serve our country need to live, work, train and deploy on operations.
2. DIO is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties, as well as providing related support services, to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
3. Our work includes supporting operational units by providing and improving single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, and its heritage is protected, and to achieve its environmental goals.
4. Picture caption – please credit ‘Crown copyright/MOD 2014’:
Runners race across Salisbury Plain in the first Imber Ultra Marathon.
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