A CHARITY running festival in Stirling is looking for athletes to join a race across historic Scottish sites later this year.
Taking place for the first time on October 11 this year, William Wallace Running Festival has put out a call for “teams of Bravehearts” from Scottish businesses to sign up for 50km and 70km relay races featuring landmarks like Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument, which form part of the festival’s wider competition.
Teams can fundraise for a charity of their choice or for the event’s official partner, MND Scotland — an organisation that supports those who suffer with motor neurone disease, as well as their friends and family.
Festival co-organiser, Graham Coull, said: “Relay teams are a relatively unique choice at running events and offer a fantastic opportunity for workplace teams to get together, share some camaraderie and have fun.
“The ultra events are a chance for teams of three or six runners to sign up and train together before taking part in an unforgettable experience as they race through Scotland’s spectacular countryside.
“There are so many benefits to embarking on a challenge like this as a workplace team including healthier minds and bodies and the team spirit and camaraderie which develops when people come together for a common purpose.”
The four racing routes for the William Wallace Running Festival are:
- Ultra 70km: A 70km loop of the Ochil Hills, Bannockburn, Campsie Fells, Lewis Hill, Stirling Castle, Bridge of Allan, Cockburn Reservoir, Jerah Forest, Blairlogie, Wallace Monument, and Cambuskenneth Abbey. It is open to solo runners or relay teams of three or six and includes five aid stations along the course.
- Ultra 50km: This race takes runners on a journey past the Ochil Hills, Bannockburn, Kings Park and Stirling Castle before continuing through the Keir Estate and Bridge of Allan to reach Cockburn Reservoir. Athletes return to Stirling Sports Village via the Wallace Monument, Cambuskenneth Abbey and the riverside path. It is for solo runners or relay teams of three or six runners and includes five aid stations.
- Braveheart 10km: A flat riverside route by the Wallace Monument and Ochil Hills which crosses the historic Stirling Old Bridge- site of William Wallace’s 1297 victory.
- Wallace Warriors: A one-mile, traffic-free, flat route designed for young runners, those with accessibility needs or those who use wheelchairs.
Shorter races and more accessible routes are also available, including a 10km and a flat one-mile run aimed at younger athletes and participants who are wheelchair users or have other accessibility needs.
Coull added: “Not everyone will be able to, or want to, run a full 50km or 70km but running a shorter distance as part of a team is an achievable aim.
“Those who don’t want to run can be part of the day by cheering on their workmates or helping as an event volunteer.”
The William Wallace Running Festival was co-founded by Coull, his two sons and race director Peter Ness in a bid to fill the gap in the market for large-scale running events held in Stirling.
Ness said: “Our vision was to feature multiple race distances which trace routes with deep historical significance to Scotland’s national hero William Wallace.
“There is something for everyone, whether you are an endurance runner who wants the challenge of a 70km or 50km ultra, an athlete or fun runner who enjoys a 10km or a young person ready to compete in a one-mile run."
The festival website gives more information about the events and how to enter.
