Scotney joins elite field at NBUTPD
Marcus Scotney
England international ultra runner Marcus Scotney will be making a welcome return to Sheffield at the end of August as he lines up for the inaugural New Balance Ultra Tour of the Peak District, part of the BIG Running Weekend.
The NBUTPD take place on the 26th August and covers some of the most iconic areas of one of the worlds most visited National Parks.
Marcus, who has represented England at the first ever Commonwealth 100km Championships, also finished in 5th place at this weekend Anglo Plate competition said:
“I am really looking forward to the inaugural NBUTPD. The route looks tremendous; covering some of the best trails in the Peak District and is on some of the training runs I used to do when I was a member of Dark Peak Fell Runners. To have the opportunity to run over those trails as an ultra is going to be superb”.
He is no stranger to success in the Sheffield area having won the Round Rotherham in 2009, the same year he was on the winning team of the High Peak Marathon.
The 56 mile race is considered by Event Director, Ian Loombe, to be a tough race to run.
“It’s not just the 2722 metres of ascent that will make the competitors sweat, it is the fact that the terrain is forever changing underfoot from the sandy tops of the Gritstone Edges to the open moorland approaching them. It’s going to be tough”.
Marcus will be joining local favourites Stuart Walker and Darryl Watton. Stuart has just completed a 1000 mile run over the Alps in 30 days, averaging 35 miles per day.
He is just 26 years old and he currently holds the record for running solo across Hadrian’s Wall and has been gradually getting closer to the podium in ultra-events this year.
Darryl Watton
Darryl, earlier this year completed the MDS finishing in 35th spot (4th Brit), 1st Vet in the Pony express and 2nd overall in the South Downs Way.
In addition, on the Saturday evening both Stuart and Darryl will be hosting a ‘Runners Talk’ about their recent exploits over the Alps and at the MDS, respectively.
Both are lively and informative speakers with a host of good humour and audience participation is invited in the Question and Answer session that follows their talks. They will be joined on stage by Marcus Scotney, Julian Lings (British Duathlon Champion 2011 and English Champion 2012) and Carl Thackery (ex-International GB Runner and previous World Record holder of the One Hour Run).
The BIG Running Weekend takes place over the August Bank Holiday and also features a 12.12 mile Trail come fell race and the Whirlow 10k Challenge. There will also be a series of orienteering events, for all abilities and ages, including children.
Not to forget the King of the Mountain Race…
Proceeds from the weekend will be passed to the official charity the Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, who are also hosting the weekend and jointly co-ordinating the activities. They also benefit from a very large barn which is fully licenced and will be the home of the Running Expo, Running Talks and after race ‘BIG’ party.
More information: www.bigrunningweekend.co.uk
