A wheel milestone for Sarsen marathon
10:00am Saturday 19th January 2013 in Latest News
Walkers taking part in last year’s trail give our photographer a wave
TWO new bike routes will be available for participants in the Sarsen Trail and Neolithic Marathon, which this year marks its 25th anniversary.
A record attendance is expected for the silver anniversary of the event, organised by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. It is for walkers, runners and cyclists and the route goes from Avebury to Stonehenge.
It is on Sunday, May 5 and there is a full and half marathon plus walks of seven, 11, 15 and 26 miles.
The new cycling routes are 30 or 50km multi-terrain, circular mountain bike routes starting and ending at Stonehenge and going through Salisbury Plain.
Co-ordinator Derek Gard said: “This is a rare opportunity for people to access an area which is usually closed to the public and to enjoy this spectacular landscape. This year we have also been given permission to take the cycling route through Salisbury Plain.
“More than 2,300 people took part last year. In our 25th year we expect a record attendance, so I urge people to sign on as soon as possible.”
On the route is a mixture of grassland and farm tracks and on the northern half of the route you can expect to see skylarks, brown hares, sedge warblers and kingfishers.
The route is fully stewarded with first aid cover and a free coach service is offered for walkers between the starting and finishing points, plus regular water and toilet stops. All participants who cross the finish line at Stonehenge receive free refreshments, along with a medal awarded to all those who finish their chosen route.
Participants are asked to raise a minimum of £50 sponsorship and entry forms can be downloaded from the website www.wiltshirewildlife.org
