New 28-mile rural running challenge along former Northamptonshire railway line to launch next year

The out-and-back route is described as flat and traffic free
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A new running challenge is set to launch next year in a rural Northamptonshire location.

Organised by Race Harborough, the race is due to take place on April 18, 2021 along Brampton Valley Way, which is a former railway line.

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The route is 14 miles long and joins Market Harborough to Northampton, but the race is out-and-back making it 28 miles in total.

The new challenge will follow the Brampton Valley Way route.The new challenge will follow the Brampton Valley Way route.
The new challenge will follow the Brampton Valley Way route.

Runners can start from the either the Northampton or Harborough end of the line and there is competition between each team.

Brian Corcoran, from Race Harborough, said: “It feels like the dark clouds of 2020 are slowly starting to lift.

“With that in mind, we’ve decided now is the right time to launch a brand new event.

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“Tunnel Vision fans already know the delights of running on the traffic-free Brampton Valley Way.

Participants in a previous running challenge along Brampton Valley Way in 2015.Participants in a previous running challenge along Brampton Valley Way in 2015.
Participants in a previous running challenge along Brampton Valley Way in 2015.

“How many of you have ever run the whole length (14 miles or 22.5km) and back? It’s a super flat route with a constantly changing feel as the route cuts through the heart of rural Northamptonshire.”

Depending on the participants’ chosen starting location, the meeting points will be either from the Boughton Car Park, Brampton Lane, Northampton, or Market Harborough Leisure Centre, in the town’s Northampton Road.

There will be 100 places available for each town and a timing mat will be located at both ends so participants will also get a halfway split time.

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Using a mathematical model, organisers will compare times of runners throughout the fields of both sides to find out who performed the best.

The race organisers have also partnered with Northampton-based InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT), which provides vital independent support for people with diabetes, their parents and carers throughout the country.

A proportion of the £25 per person race fee will be donated to the charity.

Jenny Hirst, co-chair and co-founder of the organisation, added: “We, like every charity, are reliant on donations so we are extremely grateful for these vital funds.

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“We support people with diabetes, helping them to live with a lifelong health condition which can lead to serious complications causing damage to the feet, eyes, kidneys and heart.”

For more information and to enter, visit the race website.

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