Chalke Valley Challenge Runners Turn out in Force
17 October 2011
Around 300 fun-runners – all competing in Salisbury’s annual Chalke Valley Challenge - enjoyed autumn sun and stunning scenery as they sprinted, scampered and strolled through the villages of Broad Chalke and Bowerchalke on Sunday morning, completing either a 3k or a 10k course. The event is sponsored by Westover Nissan and Westover Toyota.
City of Salisbury Running Club scooped many of this year’s awards, with Michael Brewster, Kevin Tilley and Ian Stott (all Salisbury members) claiming first, second and third places respectively. The first woman over the line was Sian Thomas with a time of 38.55 minutes, setting a new record for the ladies. The 3k was won by Luke Baker (10) for the boys and by Maisie Grant (11) for the girls. All adults completing a race received a Chalke Valley Challenge t-shirt and the children were all presented with a medal.
“The morning was a great success, with both the serious competitors and the family groups reporting that they had a great time,” says Helen Atkinson, head of the school’s fundraising association. “The event is unique in that it has a very relaxed and friendly feel to it, yet it is very slickly organised – thanks to the support of a great group of parents and villagers, as well as the help we receive from our loyal and generous sponsors.
“This year’s 10k race was led by an oh-so-silent electric car – the Nissan Leaf – which was very appropriate bearing in mind the beautiful countryside that we’re surrounded by and the need for the lead runner to be shown the route without breathing in noxious tailgate fumes!”
Sallyann Tanner from Westover Nissan added: “We’ve become very much a part of The Chalke Valley Challenge over the years and it’s an event that we’re always happy to support. It attracts a really diverse group of people of all ages, but there’s a great atmosphere and somehow the sun always seems to shine!
“The Leaf generated an enormous amount of interest this year and I fielded masses of questions about electric motoring. It was a good opportunity to be able to dispel some of the myths that surround the new technology and have a chance to explain the benefits, like the fact that the Leaf can travel 109 miles on a single charge – more than enough for most people’s daily journeys.”
The Chalke Valley Challenge raises money to provide the children of Broad Chalke School with opportunities that would otherwise be beyond the school’s budget. It is estimated that this year the event has raised in excess of £2,000.
ENDS
