'Nine to Five' Rat Race Urban Advenutre

Newcastle 30th August 2008

Enjoy Newcastle in a way no-one has ever before…as one big adventure playground that will mentally and physically challenge you like no other race can!

The Rat Race Urban adventure is hitting the streets of Newcastle for the first time this summer. Racing as a team of three you can expect running, biking, kayaking, parkour, navigation and some awesome ropes. The course is only revealed on the day, but you can expect to be hanging off some of Newcastle’s classic landmarks when you join the Rat Race!

If you're looking for a different kind of challenge then this is the one for you.  At the end of the day you can enjoy your achievement of completing the course at the Rat Race after party and celebrate your success of raising vital sponsorship to help people whose lives have been affected by meningitis.

THE MENINGITIS TRUST ALL STARS PACKAGE
The Meningitis Trust has guaranteed team entries for the Newcastle Rat Race Adventure. To take up one of these team entries you will need to pay a registration fee of just £51.75 per person and pledge to raise a minimum of £600 between all three team members.

As part of the ‘All Stars’ Team we’ll go that extra mile with you, making sure that you get all the support you need before, during and after the event, including:

• All Stars personalised running T-shirt or Vest
• Fundraising ideas and tips
• Training and dietary advice
• Regular Rat Race information updates
• Goody bag

Click here to download your free information pack or call Nico Johnson on 0845 120 28 38 or email
nicoj@meningitis-trust.org

National Cycle Network Charity Teams Bike

Ride organiser Neil Fletcher along with 15 other riders took part in their 3rd charity bike ride in 2007. They used parts of the National Cycle Network to cycle through Yorkshire back to their base in Burncross, Sheffield. In total they raised £4,250 in sponsorship which was split between the Meningitis Trust and Cancer Research UK. The Trust would like to thank Neil and all the other riders for their continued support.

Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge

Saturday 2nd August 2008

This challenge starts and finishes at Horton-In-Ribblesdale, Yorkshire. Walkers will first head for Pen-Y-Ghent (691 metres) utilising parts of the Pennine Way, then head over to Ribbleshead via the local Mosses which cover the low Dales. Continue alongside the Settle to Carlisle railway, before starting the climb to the summit of Whernside (728 metres). Drop down to Chapel-le-Dale before the final climb of the day up to Ingleborough (723 metres). Now the long walk back to the finish at Horton.

This is a 24 mile challenge and most walkers finish the route in 12 hours. Accommodation can be booked for the night before and after allowing you to make a full weekend out of the challenge. The event is organised by Merseyventure and lots more information can be found on their web site.

If you are interested in taking part in this challenge and getting sponsored in the process then we are asking people to book their individual places through Merseyventure and then we can offer support with your fundraising and even training advice should you need it. Click here for more information.

Local Running Races

Why not make the decision to get fit and at the same time raise vital funds for the Meningitis Trust? There are lots of running events throughout the region from fun runs right up to full marathons. Listed below are just a few of these races, but to search for a race near to you then the Runners World web site has a full list.

We can provide sponsor forms; advice on how to set up your own ‘Just Giving’ web site;collection tins; a letter of authority (to say that your raising funds for the Trust); a T-shirt or vest to run in on the day; training advice; and of course lots of support.

Junior Great North Run success for Courtney

Courtney Watson from Jarrow, Tyne & Wear successfully completed the Junior Great North Run in 2007. In the process she did fantastically well to raise £205 from supportive friends and family. Courtney ran in memory of her sister Natalie who died aged 18 in 2000 to meningitis. Pictured above is Courtney presenting the cheque to the Meningitis Trust's new Community Development Officer for the North, Nico Johnson.

The Junior Great North Run will be held this year on Saturday 4th October 2008 and it is held on the quayside in Newcastle & Gateshead. There are two age categories, 9-11 year olds and 12-16 year olds and the course is approximately 2.5 miles long. You can enter online here and the Trust can provide a T-shirt to run in as well as sponsor forms and other fundraising materials.

Humber Bridge Half Marathon & Fun Run

Sunday 29th June 2008

2008 will be the ninth year that the Rotary Club of Hull have organised this race. The half marathon is a single loop circuit run entirely on road surface, undulating throughout crossing the bridge in both directions and passing through the villages of Hessle and Barton on Humber.

The Family Fun Run follows the first two miles of the Humber Bridge Half Marathon course.  Run on road/pavement through the outskirts of Hessle, it peels off just before the bridge, itself, to pass under the approach road on the north bank before rejoining the finishing straight and finish of the full course. The total distance is approximately 2.4 miles.  To register and find out more click here.

BUPA Great Yorkshire Run (10k)

Sunday 7th September 2008

The BUPA Great Yorkshire Run takes place for the second time in one of the UK's leading sporting cities, Sheffield. The inaugural event attracted thousands of runners from all over the UK to Sheffield for the 10km road run and once again thousands are expected to take to the streets for the city's second staging of the event. To register and find out more click here.

Leeds Half Marathon

Sunday 7th September 2008

This event makes a welcome return after it had been stood down in favour of combining support for the race with the Jane Tomlinson Run for All.

After listening to feedback from runners though, the council and local running clubs have arranged a new date for the city based race. More information and application forms will shortly be available from here.

Experian Robin Hood Festival of Running 2008

Full Marathon, Half Marathon & Fun Run

Sunday 14th September 2008

The Robin Hood Marathon was founded in 1981. Back then the race started and finished in the Old Market Square in Nottingham City Centre. As the race field increased alongside the events popularity, the start/finish area moved to the present day race site on the Victoria Embankment. To register and find out more click here.

Bolsover 10k

Sunday 14th December 2008

A fast, slightly undulating, potential PB course which has always been over subscribed before race day. Race entry forms will be available from September onwards but you will need to enter early to be sure of a place. To register and find out more click here.

Leeds Community Help Group

The Leeds Community Help Group was formed back in 1999 and work to raise awareness locally and also carry out various fundraising activities throughout the year. The chairperson Surlinder Flora has raised over £8,000 from e-Bay auctions and the group as a whole have raised well over £40,000 since they began. Their web site is www.meningitistrust.co.uk