Great Brook Run
The Great Brook Run is an annual mile-long cross country run which this year takes place on 28 December in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, England. It is a fun run event and all proceeds go to local charity, the [https://www.oxeyes.org.uk/ Oxfordshire Association for the Blind]. The course, which starts and finishes at the [https://thetiteinn.co.uk Tite Inn], is wet and muddy as it traces a path along the Coldron Brook (a stream in the village) and passes through a 3-foot tunnel under a bridge.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8432439.stm David Cameron runs in charity mud race]. BBC News (2009-12-28). Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
History
The event was devised by Adam Engberg and James Kelly, and it was first held in 2006. The event has a fictional history which involves Vikings who attempt to invade the village in the year 1066, but find themselves thwarted by the brook.[http://www.greatbrookrun.co.uk/history.htm History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091225164506/http://www.greatbrookrun.co.uk/history.htm |date=2009-12-25 }}. Great Brook Run. Retrieved on 2009-12-28. The course begins at the local pub – a 17th-century building called [https://thetiteinn.co.uk/ The Tite Inn] – and sets off for half a mile in the brook before looping back and finishing at the same point.Wilkinson, Matt (2008-12-28). [http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/4005563.Cameron_braves_cold_to_finish_Great_Brook_Run/ Cameron braves cold to finish Great Brook Run]. This Is Oxfordshire. Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
Entrants, who donate £5 to take part, are encouraged to wear suitable clothing, although many fun-runners opt for fancy dress.[http://www.greatbrookrun.co.uk/next.htm Next Event] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091225164532/http://www.greatbrookrun.co.uk/next.htm |date=2009-12-25 }}. Great Brook Run. Retrieved on 2009-12-28. People of all ages enter the competition and every competitor receives a medal, regardless of performance.[http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4822528.Tory_leader_finds_new_running_mates/ Tory leader finds new running mates]. Oxford Mail (2009-12-28). Retrieved on 2009-12-28. Around seventy people competed in the first race in 2006 and this had increased to over 100 by the third edition.{{cn|date=May 2020}}
File:Davidcameron.jpg David Cameron brought the event mainstream exposure in the media.]]
The first edition of the Great Brook Run was featured on the BBC's South Today, a regional news programme.[http://www.throwingbeans.org/the_great_brook.html The Great Brook Run]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Throwing Beans. Retrieved on 2009-12-28. The race received nationwide media attention following the second race owing to the participation of the Conservative Party Leader and future Prime Minister David Cameron, who was then Member of Parliament for the village's constituency (Witney).[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7801370.stm Cameron defeated in charity run]. BBC News (2008-12-27). Retrieved on 2009-12-28. He acted as the race starter in 2007,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7161503.stm River run raises cash for school]. BBC News (2007-12-27). Retrieved on 2009-12-28. and has taken part in 4 races, including in 2014.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-30626596 Prime Minister David Cameron runs in charity mud race]. BBC News. Retrieved on 2014-12-29. He finished 25th overall in 2008, beating a man dressed as Spider-Man to the finish line.{{cn|date=May 2020}}
Sponsors for this year's event include [https://www.chadlingtonbrewery.com/ Chadlington Brewery] and [https://britannia.com/ Brittania].
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.greatbrookrun.co.uk Official website]
- [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53276783482&ref=share Official event page] on facebook
- [http://www.focs.org.uk The Friends of Chadlington School website]
- [https://thetiteinn.co.uk/ The Tite Inn website]
- [https://www.chadlingtonbrewery.com/ Chadlington Brewery website]
Category:Cross country running competitions
Category:Athletics competitions in England
Category:Charity events in the United Kingdom
Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2006
Category:Events in Oxfordshire
Category:2006 establishments in England
Category:Annual sporting events in the United Kingdom