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24seven Challenge

Book in October for a cracking adventure race

Entries are now open for the ultimate adventure weekend of 2009 – CLIC Sargent’s 24seven Challenge. This unique journey will feature seven challenges over the course of 24 hours with the aim of raising as much money as possible for children and young people with cancer, and their families.



Participants will have to complete a series of mental and physical challenges – as individuals or in teams of three. Physically, they will cover a marathon distance (26.2 miles) by foot, bike and boat over the course of the weekend.



The mental challenges will require logic, problem solving abilities, a good memory and most importantly, perseverance.



The event will take place on the stunning banks of Lake Windermere in the Lake District on 10th and 11th October, but that is all that the organisers are willing to reveal for now.



One of the unique concepts of the 24seven Challenge is that more clues about the weekend are revealed as entrants reach set fundraising targets.



Many elements will, however, remain a mystery until the start of the event. The more money participants raise, the more equipment and information about the event they will be able to unlock – such as bikes, maps and special passes which will help them on race day. Entrants can keep track of how they are doing on their interactive webpage on event website www.24sevenchallenge.co.uk



The first 24seven Challenge in 2008 saw 68 people raise over £41,000 for CLIC Sargent.



Many of them enjoyed the experience so much that they are signing up to do it all over again – like last year’s individual winner Tom Inchley from Milton Keynes, who is now determined to take the team title as well.



Tom has entered the team event this year with last year’s second place individual Darren Phillips from Bath and Tom’s friend Marianne Browne, also from Milton Keynes.



Together they have formed ‘Inch Perfect’ and are already in training to take the team race by storm. Darren, 35, said, “Last year’s event was fantastic; exhausting, mind numbing, but in the end, totally worth it. I decided to do 24seven again as opposed to other adventure races out there as it was such good fun as well as being challenging.



“The event was well organised and the people that took part and were involved were great to be around.



He continued, “The element of surprise involved in the challenges is good but it makes it tough to train. At the moment we are just doing everything; running, mountain biking, swimming, just to be sure. We are hoping to get together a few times in the lead up to the event to train, as we are spread out across the country. It was my birthday in March and I was given some weights and endurance equipment to help me prepare!”



Another of last year’s participants, mum of two, Liz Williams, from Cheltenham, has signed up again. She wants to take part in 24seven for both for the challenge as well as to raise money for the charity that supported her family while her daughter Grace battled with leukaemia.



She said: “I’m doing the challenge again because every day we are thankful that our daughter is still in remission. The best way to say thanks to CLIC Sargent is to help them to continue to support families like mine.



“If I manage to raise more money than last year then I’ll be happy. Of course, I want to do better than third place this time – not that I’m competitive!



“I’m hoping the getting fit bit will be easier this year, as I know what I’m in for, although there is every chance that I don’t! Whatever happens, if it’s anything like last year, it will be tremendous fun.”



The 24seven concept is representative of the 24 hours a day, seven days a week support that CLIC Sargent, the children’s cancer charity, provides for families affected by childhood cancer.



Beverley Mackenzie, Challenge Events Manager for CLIC Sargent said: “Last year’s event was fantastic! Everyone involved had great fun and achieved a great deal of satisfaction from completing – or should I say surviving – the weekend.



“I’m even more excited about this year though. We’ve changed the challenges and the location and we hope to have lots more people from different walks of life taking part.



“It’s great to see people like Liz returning for the second year running as it shows that she had a great time! The most important challenge is to raise as much money as possible to help families whose lives have been turned upside down by childhood cancer. Every penny raised really can make a big difference.”



The venue is ready, the date is set and the goal is clear – raising money for children and young people with cancer, and their families. Entries are now open, so make sure you secure your place by visiting www.24sevenchallenge.co.uk today.











Profile image of Matt Baird Matt Baird Editor of Cycling Plus magazine

About

Matt is a regular contributor to 220 Triathlon, having joined the magazine in 2008. He’s raced everything from super-sprint to Ironman, duathlons and off-road triathlons, and can regularly be seen on the roads and trails around Bristol. Matt is the author of Triathlon! from Aurum Press and is now the editor of Cycling Plus magazine.