5th Great
Milk Stout Ride – 30 September 2007
For photos of the event visit http://gmsr.fotopic.net/
(courtesy of Gary Ewing).
Sunday 30th September saw another glorious sunny day for the
5th Great Milk Stout Ride in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. This
year we extended the event to include better walking options,
a horse quest and a trail run as well as the three cycle routes.
The Mountain Bike Display Team again put on a great performance
and there was a climbing wall, bouncy castle and other attractions
back at the start to keep everyone happy.
We had a good increase in numbers with some 150 people taking
part and many more friends and relatives looking on. We are still
collecting in the money, but hope to raise at least £5,000
for Macmillan this year. We will be awarding a trophy to the team
raising the most sponsorship as well as the special Glenwood trophy
to the individual who raises the most. Last year the team trophy
went to Team Deaconstar who took part in the walk again this year
– we wish them good luck in holding onto the trophy! Peter
Watson has won the individual Glenwood trophy in 2005 and 2004
– will he hang onto it this year? Peter
did his GMSR ride early as he was actually working away on the
day.
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There were 3 bike rides –
a 6 mile blue family route, a 14 mile red route and an exacting
25 mile black route. Whilst many people signed up for the
black route, few actually managed to complete it. Special
mention here must go to Mike McTimoney who not only cycled
the whole of the black route on his single speed bike, but
also cycled from Darlington that morning and back again
afterwards! Now that’s dedication
This year the long and short walks were guided
by local people who were able to take walkers off the normal
way-marked forest tracks and it was good to see so many
people enjoying this side of the event. We did not manage
to attract many trail runners, but as the event coincided
with the Great North Run, perhaps they were doing other
things. Hopefully next year the dates won’t collide. |
The horse quest was also a new venture for us. This took place
at the Grove end of the Forest where riders could try out an obstacle
course and then follow a trail through the Forest. Again this
is something we hope to develop in the future.
We had some good press coverage by the Northern
Echo and pictures were published afterwards in all the local
papers. Many, many thanks to everyone who took part or helped
make the event the success it was. We will let you know
the final figure we raise as soon as possible.
If anyone has sponsorship money to send you can download
a sponsorship form.
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Please make cheques payable to Durham GMSR and send to:
Ollie Graham, Groundwork West Durham, 29 Market Place, Bishop
Auckland, DL14 7NP
Vicky Chilcott
October 2007
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