Only 1.4 miles from Millom railway station.

A MULTI-TERRAIN running festival will be held on Copeland’s coast in May, as part of the Connecting Cumbria’s Hidden Coast programme.

Run The Edge – organised by the Millom Striders running club on behalf of Copeland Borough Council – will take place around the breathtaking Duddon Estuary area on Sunday, May 21.

It will welcome competitors to two routes that take in the picturesque coastline, plus as a family fun run and other activities.

Copeland’s Elected Mayor, Mike Starkie, said: “This event will spotlight our amazing coastline as a unique destination for anyone who loves the outdoors.

“The adventure economy is a key part of the visitor industry – it’s something we want to support and help businesses make the most of. This coast is a hidden gem and I’m delighted we’ve attracted funding for events like this – it benefits locals but also showcases the area to the rest of the UK and beyond. It supports jobs and businesses and promotes healthy activity – I hope people come from far and wide to take part.”

The Run The Edge event will include:

• An 11.4km (seven-mile) race for people aged 16+, starting at 11am. This will start at The Ski Bar and run alongside the sea before heading around Millom, then back to the coast at Hodbarrow RSPB nature reserve and back to the start point.
• A largely coastal 5.1km (three-mile) race for anyone aged over 12 years. This will also start at 11am, and begin and end at The Ski Bar.
• A 1km (0.6-mile) family-friendly fun run.

Both race routes will be signposted and include km markers. A safe storage area will be available along with various refreshments, and there will be a water station on the longer route.

Pre-booked entry to each of the two main events costs £16, or £14 for affiliated athletes. Entry on the day is £16 for everyone. Competitors will receive a T-shirt, medal, neck warmer and eco-friendly water bottle on completion. Entry to the fun run costs £2 and participants will receive a goodie bag. Entries to the fun run will only be taken on the day.

Andrew Rigg, Chairman of the Millom Striders, said: “Both events will take in scenic views of the Duddon Estuary (an SSSI site) and of the Lake District’s southern fells towards Black Combe, White Combe, Coniston Old Man and Scafell Pike. Both events will be chip-timed and will, in the main, follow the Cumbria Coastal path.

Gary McKeating, Head of Development and Community at Sellafield Ltd, said: “As a keen runner myself I look forward to showcasing our stunning coastline to a wide variety of visitors and residents. Adventure tourism is an important part of our future economy and we hope that local businesses get involved and benefit from what will be a fantastic festival.”

The event is part of the Connecting Cumbria’s Hidden Coast programme, which is led by Copeland Borough Council and funded with £1.15m from Sellafield Ltd and more than £1m from the government’s Coastal Communities Fund. It aims to inspire visitors to Copeland’s coast, promote health and wellbeing and raise awareness of the area in the rest of the UK. As well as the coastal running festival, it includes a new beach cafe at Silecroft, several new cycle and footpath routes and an extensive arts programme, Deep Time.

To sign up for the Run The Edge event, visit https://www.runbritain.com/entries/EnterRace.aspx