All set for ‘ultra run’

Jul 22 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

SCOTLAND’S proud tradition in ultra distance running enters a new chapter this autumn as Perth and Kinross hosts a high quality set of road races at the Inches/Bell's Sports Centre on September 13 and 14.

The events, organised by scottishathletics and sponsored by Run and Become, Scotland's specialist running shop, will be in a pilot format to see whether the venue could host an IAU 24-hour World Championships in the next few years.

Delegates from the International Association of Ultra Runners are expected to visit the city to monitor the race.

All four events will use a 2.38km lap around the perimeter of the Inches, starting and finishing at the rear of Bell's Sports Centre, and lap times will be recorded using microchips attached to runners' ankles.

Races are:

24-hour race (40 competitors - senior): start: 10am Saturday, finish 10am Sunday.

100km race (40 competitors - senior): start: 12 noon Saturday, finish 8am Sunday cut-off.

12 hours mixed 'night-time' relay (teams of six - any combination): start 8pm Saturday, finish 8am Sunday.

Under-15 12-lap relay (three boys/three girls): start 2pm Saturday.

Councillor John Kellas, convener of Perth and Kinross Council's Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee, said yesterday: “Perth and Kinross Council, as part of its events and tourism strategy, is always delighted to welcome new events to the area.

“We are pleased to be supporting these events run by scottishathletics and are sure they will be hugely enjoyable for participants and spectators alike.

“We are hoping to work closely with the organisers in order to demonstrate Perth's suitability for events of this type with a view to attracting the IAU 24-hour World Championships in the next few years.”

Adrian Stott (Run and Become), former Great Britain 24-hour international and British 24-hour champion said: “Run and Become has been involved for many years supporting numerous events.

“My own personal experience of participating in and organising ultra distance races made it obvious that we should be involved with the Perth event.

“A 24-hour race creates a unique atmosphere and will be made more so with the planned 100km and relay events also taking place.

“I am sure the athletics community will support the event and make for a memorable weekend."

Geoff Wightman, scottishathletics chief executive, added: “This gives us the opportunity to showcase Scotland as a host for a major championship and demonstrate our ability to deliver such a event.

“The relays should be an interesting endurance challenge and we hope to have around 500 people running the loop at different times.”

Entries will be open online at: www.scottishathletics.org.uk from Thursday, July 24.