19th May 2010

DORCHESTER: Take up the Rideway challenge and keep your heart healthy!

by Anita Harries

THE British Heart Foundation is teaming up with the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to launch the very first Ridgeway Challenge.

Participants can take in breathtaking views of the Dorset countryside and Jurassic coast by either walking or running along the South Dorset Ridgeway to raise vital funds to assist the British Heart Foundation in their fight against heart disease.

The event takes place on Sunday, July 25th, with walkers and runners setting off at 9am from the Smugglers Inn at Osmington.

Those opting for the seven mile route will follow the Ridgeway and the South West Coast Path through Osmington, over the White Horse, through Bincombe and finish at Goulds Hill.

The more energetic can opt for the 17 mile course which continues from Goulds Hill to Hardy’s Monument, circling above Abbotsbury to conclude at the Blue Anchor Café at West Bexington.

Zoe Nicholson, volunteer manager for the British Heart Foundation said: “We are really excited about this new event. The scenery from the top of the South Dorset Ridgeway is spectacular, and we hope that people will enjoy the route.

“Walking and running are both great ways to keep fit and maintain a healthy heart, so we want lots of people to take up the Ridgeway Challenge.

“We are extremely grateful to Dorset AONB for helping us with this event and hope it will raise awareness of the Ridgeway and all it offers.”

Entry to the Ridgeway Challenge is £5, with a minimum sponsorship of £10 for adults.

Registration for children is free.

Buses will run from Weymouth Esplanade and the Park and Ride at Dorchester Town Football Club to the starting point. They will also drop participants back when they have finished as parking is extremely limited.

Dogs are welcome to join in the fun as well, and younger children must be supervised at all times.

There will be marshals along the course to keep you heading in the right direction, and water will be available although it is recommended that you bring some yourself.

To register visit www.bhf.org.uk/ridgewaychallenge or call Leah on (01892) 893918.

The Ridgeway Charity Challenge forms part of the South Dorset Ridgeway Festival, two weeks of stories, theatre, guided walks and talks, archaeology, poetry and film on and around the Ridgeway.

This takes place between July 16th and 31st.

More information can be found at www.southdorsetridgeway.org.uk

PICTURE: Zoe Nicholson from BHF and Sarah Harbige from Dorset AONB challenge you to take part in the charity event