Runners urged to reserve their place in Belvoir Challenge 2023

Runners wanting to take place in the Belvoir Challenge this year are being urged to reserve their place ASAP.

The date has been set for the next Belvoir Challenge, which this year will take place on Saturday 4 March 2023.

The event, which has been running for more than 30 years, attracts participants from all over the world. The first Challenge took place in 1990 and since then it’s gone from strength to strength.

In 2019 The Belvoir Challenge was listed by Red Bull as the 7th best marathon in the whole of the UK. The world renowned London Marathon came 1st in the same competition.

It’s a valuable fundraiser for Harby Primary School, with participants starting and finishing from the village hall, whether they are completing the 15 mile or the 26 mile routes.

Organised by the Friends of Harby School, preparations have started for the event which is a huge logistical challenge for the village primary school.

The runners and walkers can look forward to plentiful homemade cakes, traybakes, sandwiches, sweets and even local Stilton at the checkpoints dotted around the route.

When they pass over the finish line they will be treated to hot soup and a bread roll, followed by homemade puddings such as apple crumble, bread and butter pudding, all served with lashings of hot custard.

Runners from all over the world take part in the Belvoir Challenge. Photo: Supplied.

It’s a big ask for the parents of the school as it requires 2400 portions of cake, 1500 sandwiches and 800 portions of pudding and custard.

The route will pass along footpaths, byways, tracks and minor roads throughout the Vale of Belvoir, and with the permission of the Duke of Rutland, on land through the Belvoir Estate.

Registration for the Challenge opened in November at www.belvoirchallenge.com and you're being urged to book your place quickly before it sells out.

The Challenge raises much needed funds for the children of Harby Primary School. It pays for educational resources such as books, tablet computers, outdoor play equipment and subsidises school trips, plus lots more.

Once again participants will be encouraged to use a free park and ride bus service located just outside the village. This should reduce the number of cars parking in the village.

Over 1,000 walkers and runners usually take part, with school parents, grandparents, former pupils and parents, Harby villagers and local runners to help set up and staff registration, check points, car parks and marshal along the route.

Please go to click here for more information or search @belvoirchallenge on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.