Cliffhanger 2012: Climb It, Bike It, Run It, Do It!
Cliffhanger 2012: Climb It, Bike It, Run It, Do It!
Sheffield City Council, Heason Events, Rat Race and South Yorkshire Orienteers have teamed up to take full advantage of Cliffhanger - one of the UK’s largest outdoor-pursuits festivals - moving to Sheffield’s largest green space, Graves Park, for this year’s event on 7/8 July.
As well as a new live music stage and camping village, there are four running events, each with a twist.
Rat Race Adventure Sports have designed a new 5k trail run around the 200 acre site which winds its way up and down the steep slopes of the park’s ancient woodlands, ending with an Obstacle Zone.
The trail run starts at 12pm on Saturday 7 July and entry is £15 or £20 in combination with a Cliffhanger day ticket which includes a free technical tee, £10 Rat Race Store voucher, free Rat Race Membership and a 15% discount voucher.
And that’s not all...
South Yorkshire Orienteers are back by popular demand with three more events.
Last year 2,000 people had a go at their ultra-sprint maze course and on the Saturday afternoon, elite runners will again battle it out in the high intensity, high speed challenge that includes complex map reading, multi-terrain racing and numerous river crossings.
In addition, there’s also a new 45 minute against-the-clock score course taking in the whole of the park and woods as well as a shorter park course challenge within the festival site.
The score event mass start is at 11am on Saturday 7 July with the course (which is approximately 6km)open all weekend.
Entry to the orienteering events is included in the £7 Cliffhanger day ticket or £6.50 in advance.
Jim Mee, Managing Director of Rat Race Adventure Sports, says: “This is a trail run with a twist. Starting from our Rat Race Basecamp, the fully-way marked 5km trail run will take you on a guided tour around the best Graves Park has to offer, winding its way over undulating forest and parkland of this vast Sheffield location with a few off-piste diversions along the way. Then, before you know it, you’ll be back at the event arena and lining up to take on the final hurdle, The Rat Race Obstacle Zone, before finally crossing the finish line to rapturous applause from your friends, family and supporters.”
Oli Johnson, nine-times British Orienteering Champion says: “Sheffield and the Peak District are well renowned for running and orienteering. Cliffhanger has a great reputation in the outdoor world. It’s nice to see the two married together.”
Peter Tryner from South Yorkshire Orienteers says: “The Orienteering Ultra-Sprint is a chance to see some of the UK’s top orienteers in action, and it’s also great fun for families and friends to have a go. Kids love charging round the labyrinth. Orienteering’s a great way to combine your running and thinking at the same time so if you fancy spicing up your running and making it a bit more interesting have a go at one of our routes.”
Festival co-organiser Matt Heason from Heason Events says: “What I love about Cliffhanger is that you can see some of the best athletes in their field and then have a go yourself. There are loads of different activities to watch and try, and if you’re not a runner, why not try something a little different like Cycle Speedway, Geo-caching, Roller Derby, Welsh Bocking or slack-lining? There really is something for everyone whatever your age or ability.”
Cliffhanger takes place on 7/8 July at Graves Park in Sheffield and entry is £7 per person with accompanied under-16s going free.
For full details, check out the event website.