By DAVID COULTER

Last updated at 12:17, Monday, 16 July 2012

FAMILIES, business rivals sportsmen and women are set to battle it out once again in a duathlon planned as part of the Kielder Marathon weekend.

Ahead of the returning sporting event, billed as Britain’s Most Beautiful Marathon, interest in the Kielder Run Bike Run has already started to heat up.

Competing to be the best in their field, individuals or teams of three will tackle the Salomon Kielder Marathon course with an initial 11km run followed by a 26km cycle ride and another run of 5km.

Former Olympic athlete and event organiser, Steve Cram, said: “With the marathon, a lot of people enter as a challenge to themselves.

“But the Run Bike Run can be a team challenge or an individual challenge so it increases the competitiveness.

“We’ve had several teams enter from the same company and colleagues using it as a corporate challenge, but also family members racing against their friends.

“It’s an off-road course, a test for adventure racers and cyclists alike and for the team entries, a great way to be involved in Britain’s most beautiful marathon weekend without having to complete the entire marathon course in one go.”

Event organisers, DS Media & Events, and event host, Northumbrian Water, have both entered teams and are encouraging other businesses in the area to take up the challenge.

Interest in the event on Saturday, October 6, can be registered online at www.kieldermarathon.com

On the same day, the Kielder 10k will again take place, with Kielder Junior Runs for children between seven and 15 being held the following day when the marathon is being run.

First published at 09:04, Monday, 16 July 2012
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk