Only the gutsy ones need apply

OSA’s Nick Graham puts the watch on All-Terrain Challenge stars Steve Dawes and Gail Merrien. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0600814)

ORGANISERS of the perennially -popular All Terrain Challenge have secured a new three-year deal with a local recruitment firm.

The newly-branded OSA Recruitment All Terrain Challenge is one of the highlights in the Guernsey Island Amateur Athletic Club’s annual calendar.

Now in its 13th year, the week-long event is for all standards, right from novices to more experienced runners looking for that extra challenge.

‘We have the capacity to take a maximum of 70 runners, any more than this is difficult due to the nature of the course on a couple of the days’, said Geoff King, organiser and GIAAC treasurer. ‘Over the years we have seen novice runners enter just for the challenge and then go on to achieve some fantastic times.

‘Many have come back and some have even taken part in other athletic challenges during the year. It certainly provides a great challenge for both regular and novice athletes.’

The challenge runs from Saturday 26 July to Friday 1 August and is made up of seven races over seven days, kicking off with a four kilometre road race, followed by an eight kilometre cliff path run. The highlight of the week takes place on day three – a gruelling 800m hill climb up the steps from Telegraph Bay at Jerbourg.

The hill climb is followed the next day by a relatively easy three-mile circuit divided into four divisions, then an 800m track race on the fifth day, before returning to the cliffs for the penultimate five mile time trial race.

The challenge culminates with a gruelling four-mile cross country race covering a two-lap course over the paths and beaches of Herm.

The sponsorship deal has been agreed during OSA Recruitment’s 21st anniversary year. Nick Graham, managing director of the firm and sports fan, is keen to support an event that did not just benefit elite athletes, but also novices.

‘This event is very challenging but certainly achievable as long as you have some guts and determination.’

Article posted on 5th July, 2008 - 9.29am

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