Chalke Valley Challenge Runners Get Energy Surge from Westover Nissan
Sunday 16th October
More than 300 runners of all ages and fitness levels will be walking, jogging and sprinting through the villages of Broad Chalke and Bowerchalke from 10.00am on Sunday 16th October, when they take on the annual Chalke Valley Challenge – a 3k and 10k charity fun-run. The event raises funds for the children of Broad Chalke Primary School.
Last year’s champion threw down the gauntlet to 2011 entrants, completing the 10k course in just under 36 minutes, knocking nearly 90 seconds off the previous race record.
The event, which starts from Broad Chalke sports field (next to the school), is sponsored each year by Westover Nissan and Toyota, as well as by local travel company, Discover Adventure.
Runners are supplied with water at refreshment posts along the way, as well as at the finish line. In addition to a prize presentation ceremony, all adult entrants receive Chalke Valley Challenge t-shirts and each junior competitor is given a medal. There is also a café selling delicious bacon butties, teas, coffees and home-made cakes for hungry runners and their supporters.
This year’s entrants will be led by the Nissan Leaf (the UK’s first 100% electric, family-sized car) which will silently show 10k competitors the route, keeping a few paces ahead of the lead runner. “It’s the perfect vehicle to lead the race,” says Sallyann Tanner, Westover Nissan’s Electric Vehicle Relationship Manager. “There’s no fear of the front-runners breathing in unpleasant fumes as they race up the Challenge’s steep hills. Following in the wake of the Leaf definitely won’t leave them exhausted!”
Other green pickings, ripe for the region’s carbon-considerate consumers, include Toyota’s hybrid vehicles - the Prius and the Auris. Both offer environmentally friendly motoring, with mileage that’s as clean, green and efficient as possible. They’re good news for the wallet too, with the Prius delivering a whopping 72.4 miles per gallon. Westover Nissan and Westover Toyota will also display the new Toyota Yaris and Nissan Micra models.
Head teacher at Broad Chalke School, Margaret Pearson says: “This is our major fundraising event of the year and we are very grateful to our sponsors, whose financial support and practical back-up makes a tremendous difference to the success of the event.
“We usually have upwards of a hundred very enthusiastic children participating (some extremely competitively!) and plenty of their friends and families too. There’s always a great turn out from the local community - many simply seeking some gentle exercise; others wanting to take on the challenge of the 10k course and test themselves against our large contingent of competitive club runners.”
Now in its sixth year, the event raises money to provide the pupils of Broad Chalke School with the equipment and funds to take part in activities that would normally be beyond the school’s budget.
Further details about the Chalke Valley Challenge can be found by visiting www.chalkevalleychallenge.co.uk, where those wishing to take part in the races can also download an application form.
