Butser Hill Challenge
WHAT are you doing on Sunday, September 25th? A last cutting of the lawn, the weekly car wash, a long lie-in after a night on the razzle, or maybe a much-needed confessional with the vicar?!! Well if you have got nothing planned that day, then Chris Hall needs your help.
The Butser Hill Challenge takes place that day at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, just four miles south of Petersfield off the A3.
The first run was held in 1978 and has raised nearly £250,000 for charity. This year's race is being held in aid of the Portsmouth Hospitals' Rocky Appeal, which aims to raise £2million to set up a purpose-built cancer laboratory.
Now in 2005, with the 25th running of this popular event, it is jointly organised by Stubbington Green Runners, Portsmouth Joggers and Victory AC.
There's a junior fun run over one-and-a-half miles for 11 to 15 year-olds with one ascent to the top.
And then the main event is at 11.45am. This is a challenging four-and-a-half mile grass course with three steep ascents and descents of the 888ft hill, which is the highest point of the South Downs.
The course is a Grade A Fell Race - that's how steep the challenge is!
If you're not running, then Chris Hall is using his wily charms to get more marshalls for the event. If you can help, then contact Chris by e-mailing him at hally.pfc@ntlworld.com
It goes without saying that the key to a well-organised event is by having the race well marshalled and so if you can spare a couple of hours to help out, he would love to hear from you.
If you want to run, then you can enter by downloading a form at www.pjc.org.uk. Entry for the senior race is £7 for affiliated runners and £9 for unaffiliated. Entries on the day will cost £8 affiliated or £10 for unaffiliated runners. For junior runners, the entry fee is £3.