Record field for 100 mile biking marathon

27th April 2010

The UK's toughest mountain bike challenge is proving a massive hit with riders wanting to pit their skills against the dramatic wilderness of Kielder Water & Forest Park.

This year's Montane Kielder 100 - Britain's only 100 mile single lap off-road endurance race set to take place on 4 September - will have a bumper field of over 700 bikers from across the nation.

Organiser SIP Events working with the Kielder Partnership has now closed the field to new entrants five months early!

Alex MacLennan, recreation and tourism manager with the Forestry Commission, commented:

"This is not a ride for the faint hearted, covering vast distances over rugged terrain. We've been stunned by its popularity. There are few places in the UK capable of staging this kind of event, which involves just one road crossing and uses sections of the exhilarating new red route we opened last year. It's a fantastic way to explore the landscape and test stamina to the full with many riders starting off at the crack of dawn and not back until dusk."

The Montane Kielder 100 starts and finishes at Kielder Castle and involves a cross border leg to the 7Stanes bike centre at Newcastleton, Scotland, before heading back over the fells. Last year's inaugural race saw the top male rider clock an incredible time of 8 hours 21 minutes, with the speediest female coming in at 11 hours 53 minutes.

Further information on the event can be found at www.kielder100.com

Media calls to Richard Darn on 01226 246351. Mobile 0775 367 0038.

Notes to Editor
The Kielder Partnership is a public, voluntary and private sector collaboration working to develop Kielder Water & Forest Park as an inspirational place for leisure, exploration and fun. Partners are the Calvert Trust Kielder, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Northumberland County Council and Northumbrian Water, plus representation from community groups. Northumberland Wildlife Trust is an associate member.