RUNNERS, walkers, horse-riders and dog owners are being invited to take part in a fun challenge in the upper Gaunless Valley this weekend.
The inaugural To The Edge And Back starts in Woodland on Sunday, January 30, and will see participants cover almost three miles along the “Woodland triangle” .
The event is being organised by running enthusiast Tim Smith and will raise cash for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
Mr Smith, who has completed 16 Great North Runs as well as the London and New York marathons, said: “I regularly run the triangle and I have met a lot of people on the route who have said we should organise a run or walk.
“For elite runners, it is 1,100ft high with panoramic views of the Vale of York and the Pennines.”
The 77-year-old added that the aim was also to bring people together in a social way and the idea came to him after the village was left in the dark because of damage caused by Storm Arwen.
Mr Smith said: “When the lights went out, the village came alive and it was wonderful to see.
“There are people who have moved to the village and this is a social thing for them to meet more people.”
Although the event is free to enter, people are being encouraged to buy To the Edge and Back T-shirts, and to make donations, which will go the air ambulance charity.
Mr Smith said: “From what I know there are four people in this area who wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the air ambulance.”
The race starts and finishes at the Edge Hotel, in Woodland, with registration taking place at 10am.
There will be a staggered start with runners setting off at 10.30am, walkers at 10.40am, dog walkers at 10.50am and horse riders at 11am.
The pub will be open throughout the event.
