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FEBRUARY
THE MANCHESTER WINTER WARMER RUN: 2nd February, 2020 @ Heaton Park, Manchester
Lace up those trainers, don your motivational cap and embrace this opportunity for a winter keep fit session in the 600 glorious acres of Heaton Park! Ideal for runners of any level, the race is raising money for the charity Shelter. Entry benefits include full race chip timing, medals, trophies, surprise goodies – and a load of fun and high fives along the way. Make sure your running gear is cleaned, conditioned and waterproofed in advance with Nikwax to ensure you stay warm, dry and comfortable – whatever the weather. INFO: letsdothis.com/gb/e/the-manchester-5k-and-10k-winter-warmer-run-186029
MARCH
WILD SKI WEEKEND: 13th – 15th March @ Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore, Scotland
From the Lodge’s base at the foot of the mighty Cairngorm plateau, you can spend the weekend exploring on skis the classic tours, descents and gullies of the Northern Corries and beyond. Venture into one of the biggest ski wildernesses in Scotland! Hosted by some of Britain’s top ski coaches, instructors, guides, freeriders and athletes, this weekend will take you beyond your ski boundaries for a truly memorable adventure. A down jacket could be an outer layer of choice for this event and to maintain that snuggly insulation and warmth, whilst protecting the garment from wetting out, be sure to clean your down jacket with Down Wash Direct® before you go!
INFO: glenmorelodge.org.uk/backcountry-skiing/wild-ski-weekend
APRIL
DEVIZES TO WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL CANOE RACE: 10-13th April @ Devizes, Wiltshire
This ultra-marathon on water takes place every Easter weekend and is the longest non-stop canoe race in the world! Kicking off from the market town of Devizes in Wiltshire, the race is 125 miles long and includes numerous locks; as well as arduous paddling, there is also a considerable amount of running involved too. Junior crews and single craft can only race in stages over four days, but senior doubles crews can opt for the hardcore non-stop race – paddling and running continuously throughout the day and night until they arrive in Westminster. INFO: dwrace.co.uk
MAY
CAPE WRATH ULTRA®: 24th – 31st May @ Fort William, Scottish Highlands
The Cape Wrath Ultra is a once in a lifetime, 8-day ultra-running expedition race that takes you 400km through breathtaking scenery in the Highlands of Scotland. Starting in Fort William, participants experience an incredible journey, linking ancient footpaths and remote tracks to the furthest northwesterly point of the British Isles – Cape Wrath. This event is supported with overnight camps, providing meals and tented accommodation. To continue feeling fresh as you run through the wilderness, you should use BaseFresh® on your technical base layers. BaseFresh removes odours and deodorises the fabric, inhibiting further odour build-up to ensure you smell fresh. It also enhances the wicking, allowing sweat to spread and dry faster, so you will stay comfy!
INFO: capewrathultra.com
JUNE
THREE PEAKS YACHT RACE: 13th June @ Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales
Sail up the wild West Coast and run to the summits of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis – the highest peaks of Wales, England & Scotland in this classic adventure race for runners and sailors. Teams of four or five per yacht sail from Barmouth, Wales to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. The land stages to Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis involve running 54.8 miles, cycling 40 miles and climbing 16,500 feet in 3 or 4 action packed days!
INFO: threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk
JULY
IRONMAN UK: 12th – 13th July @ Leigh, Bolton
Dubbed one of the UK’s friendliest towns, Bolton is the home of England’s only full-distance IRONMAN. The beautiful 2.4 mile lake swim takes place in Pennington Flash Country Park. Cyclists will then embark on a 112 mile, two-loop journey into the breathtaking Lancashire countryside, taking on the famous Sheep House Lane climb twice, where spectators can get up close and personal with the athletes in true Tour de France style. The 26.2 mile run begins at Queens Park and finishes in Victoria Square in the heart of historic Bolton. INFO: ironman.com/im-uk-course
AUGUST
DARTMOOR WALKING FESTIVAL: 22nd – 30th August @ Dartmoor, Devon
Enjoy nine days of walks, runs, rides, talks, demonstrations and other outdoor events, set within the stunning Dartmoor National Park. Partake in Nordic walking, archaeology visits, children’s walks and ranger-led walks; there are also Trampers (all-terrain mobility scooters) available for those who may have difficulty walking. Be sure to clean and re-proof your outdoor footwear beforehand! Footwear Cleaning Gel thoroughly cleans and revitalises the water repellency on footwear. If your boots need re-proofing then use Waterproofing Wax for Leather on smooth leather and Fabric & Leather Proof on combination footwear to keep your feet dry and comfortable!
INFO: moorlandguides.co.uk
SEPTEMBER
TREKFEST: 19th September @ the Brecon Beacons, South Wales
Take on the TrekFest charity challenge – choose your distance, choose a charity you want to raise funds for and make every step count! With 25km and 50km routes to choose from, whether you walk, jog or run, you’ll be challenging yourself in one of the UK’s most beautiful national parks – the Brecon Beacons. Full of incredible scenery, rolling countryside and impressive mountains, the area is also an SAS training ground so expect stunning yet challenging terrain! Sign up solo or with a group – the team spirit flag will be flying high! INFO: trekfest.org.uk
OCTOBER
ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON: 11th October @ Central London
The stunning 13.1 mile route takes in the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens. The money raised by the Royal Parks through this event helps to keep the magic of the Royal Parks alive through restoring monuments and playgrounds, teaching children about the natural world and caring for wildlife. Race day is also as green and sustainable as possible with 66% of all waste from the event being recycled and avoiding landfill sites. To take part in the 2020 event you need to enter a ballot, so head to the site to find out more! INFO: royalparkshalf.com
NOVEMBER
KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL: 19th – 22nd November @ Kendal, Cumbria
This four day celebration of outdoor culture includes a world-class programme of films, speakers, literature and art – both homespun and international. The most diverse festival of its type in the world, KMF brings together adventurers, filmmakers and lecturers in the uniting aim of inspiring more people to explore, enjoy and represent mountains, wilderness and their cultures. Wet weather is likely so give your waterproof clothing some TLC in preparation… Tech Wash® will clean away all dirt that could be masking your jacket’s water repellency, whilst TX.Direct® will fully replenish the water repellency and maintain the garment’s breathability. INFO: kendalmountainfestival.com
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS WALKS: Throughout December @ a National Trust coastline near you
The great British countryside remains resolutely open over Christmas and is an opportunity for the National Trust – Britain’s largest coastal landowner and Europe’s largest conservation association – to promote its 780 miles of coastal walks. Popular outings include the two-mile hike along Arnside Knott on the Lancashire/Cumbria border, which affords stunning views over Morecambe Bay, and the four-and-a-half-mile trek on the White Cliffs of Dover, which guarantees great views and refreshing airs. INFO: nationaltrust.org.uk