The Ultimate Personal Challenge: The Great Barrow Challenge

This four day endurance event is the new kid on the block in European extreme sports. Based in the heart of Suffolk the Great Barrow Challenge takes place from Wednesday 19th to Saturday 22nd September, and offers something for everyone, from novices and families to serious athletes.

Entrants can choose to walk, run or cycle (or a combination of the three) the four day challenge. The full challenge is 26.2 miles per day for walkers and runners and 120 miles for cyclists! However, there are shorter courses to suit almost any level of fitness and ambition. 6, 10 and 30 mile courses are on offer for runners and walkers and 30 and 60 mile courses for cyclists. Depending on the distance and whether you cycle or complete the course on foot, the prices range from £20 to £80 for the four days. Under 16s can enter any event for £30 for the four days.

Based on the Nijmegan military training marches in Holland, The Great Barrow Challenge is the only UK event that offers extreme running, cycling and walking over four days. And that’s not the only reason this event is unique; the team behind the challenge is well organised and brimming with enthusiasm ensuring the event is well marshalled and the routes are well planned with easy to follow directions in the form of full colour, waterproof maps and written directions. Files that can be uploaded onto GPS devices are also available. There are excellent camping facilities and several fully licensed bars as well as optional evening activities and free sports massages to keep those aches and pains at bay from the team at Sports Injury Clinic.

As the event draws to a close, the celebrations get underway with live bands which create an almost festival-like vibe. Certificates and medals are available but rather more quirkily, those who complete the maximum distance have the option to buy and wear the coveted ‘Black Rugby Shirt’ which can be bought in advance. However the ‘earn it or burn it’ ethos means that pre-ordered shirts are ceremoniously burned in front of an applauding crowd if you do not complete the course. The camaraderie and sense of fun is something that keeps visitors coming back year after year.

Glen Moulds, Founder of The Great Barrow Challenge said; “We’ve created a multi-day endurance event that is easy to enter and open to anyone. There are no waiting lists or draws to see who can join in. It’s purely about finding a distance that pushes you a bit harder and setting yourself that personal challenge. Of course you can take the opportunity to raise money for charity too, if you want to.”

For more information or to sign up for The Great Barrow Challenge visit www.greatbarrowchallenge.co.uk

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Media contacts

Hana Ballard hana@thebridgemarketing.co.uk 07810448319

Notes to Editors

Glen Moulds (founder of The Great Barrow Challenge) entered and completed the famous Nijmegan Marches several times while serving in the British Army in the 1970’s. These 4 day walks have been going for more than 95 years and make up the world’s largest walking event with over 45,000 entrants.

Glen was in the Metropolitan Police in London until 1995 as a police marksman, a Class 1 Advanced Driver. He also spent six years on the Flying Squad (The Sweeney) specialising in the prevention of Armed Robbery. After Glen turned 50 he was looking for a personal challenge and remembered the Nijmegan Marches, so, with permission from the Nijmegan Committee he copied the 4 day walks starting and finishing from his sports facility in the village of Barrow, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

In 2009 and 2010 the Challenge only covered walking over various distances: 6, 10, 15 or the full 26 miles each day. At the end of 2010 Glen was approached by several friends James Heath a triathlete from Barrow and Glenn Morris a cyclist from Bury St Edmunds to add ‘running’ and ‘cycling’ to the event. The Great Barrow Challenge was born.

Photos and additional quotes are available on request

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