ULTRA RUN TAKES GUTS

An ultra-run in support of Guildford bowel cancer charity GUTS is taking place on Saturday 23rd September, with the finish line on Guildford High Street.

Runners will be tackling a 58km (36 mile) course that starts in Barnes and follows a scenic route along the Thames, through Oxshott Woods and Downside towards East Horsley before picking up parts of the North Downs to Newlands Corner and finally along the Pilgrims Way to Pewley Down and into Guildford. There is also a half-marathon distance along the tail-end of the course, starting at Effingham Junction.

Ultra running – which is a broad term for runs longer than a marathon – has become increasingly popular over recent years; GUTS already holds the popular annual ‘Bolt Round the Holt’ which takes place at Alice Holt Forest every spring but the longest distance offered there is 21km.

GUTS manager Nerissa Deeks said: “If it proves to be to be a good fundraiser our intention is that the GUTS Ultra also becomes an annual fixture. It’s a great route with lots of interest – and the home stretch from Shere to Guildford has the wonderful sweeping grandeur of the Downs to inspire our runners in those tough final miles.”

Around 150 runners have signed up so far but there are still places available for both distances. To register go to http://aat-events.com/race/guts-ultra/. Information about GUTS and its work in relation to bowel cancer will be available at the finish point on Guildford High Street by Holy Trinity Church from about 11am onwards.