People are challenged to help Watchtree Nature Reserve reach 100 miles an hour in a 24-hour event later this month.
The 100mph Challenge, from 11am on Saturday September 16 to 11am Sunday September 17, helps to raise cash for the reserve, near Carlisle.
Each lap of Watchtree’s perimeter route is two miles and the charity hopes to get enough visitors to walk, jog, run or push round it to average 100 miles of Watchtree every hour for 24 hours.
The event gives people the opportunity to experience Watchtree at dusk, in the dark, at daybreak and in the middle of the day – it doesn’t matter what time they arrive, every mile will count.
Entrants will be given a wristband on registration which will enable them to come and go as they please, do a few laps at a time, or they can stay for the whole 24 hours and join the elite group, the #24hoursurvivors!
Anyone can take part: dogs, babies, toddlers, children, friends, family – Watchtree’s accessible paths and safe environment make it possible for everybody to join in (although no cycling on this event).
New for 2023 is the Teams Competition – the team with the greatest collective mileage wins.
Watchtree manager Ryan Dobson said: “We need help to smash it in 2023! You definitely don’t need to be an athlete, or even a runner at all to take part in this challenge – every mile counts. This is one of our favourite events here at Watchtree – the atmosphere and support is fantastic, even at 3am in the morning!”
Watchtree events team leader, Stephanie Norman said: “Last year we got incredibly close – just 48 miles off the target of 2,400 miles and we really want to beat it this year!
“As this is a community event, we have reduced entry prices to make this event even more inclusive and accessible, particularly for families. We’d love to see as many local organisations as possible take part too”.
Anyone interested in getting involved in the challenge can go to www.watchtree.co.uk/events/ to find out more or to enter.
