Great Brook Run

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The Tite Inn serves as the start and finishing point of the race

The Great Brook Run is an annual mile-long cross country run which takes place on 27 December in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, England. It is a fun run event and all proceeds go to local charities based in Chadlington. The course 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.[1][2]

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.[3] The course begins at the local pub – a 17th-century building called The Tite Inn – and sets off for half a mile in the brook before looping back and finishing at the same point.[4][5]

Entrants, who donate £5 to take part, are encouraged to wear suitable clothing, although many fun-runners opt for fancy dress.[6] People of all ages enter the competition and every competitor receives a medal, regardless of performance.[1][7] Around seventy people competed in the first race in 2006 and this had increased to over 100 by the third edition.[2] The competition gained sponsorship from The Cotswold Brewing Co. in 2008 and 2009.[8]

Conservative Leader 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.[9] The race received nation-wide media attention following the second race owing to the participation of the Conservative Party Leader David Cameron, who is the current Member of Parliament for the village's constituency (Witney).[10] He acted as the race starter in 2007,[11] and took part in both the 2008 and 2009 races.[1] He finished 25th overall in 2008, beating a man dressed as Spider-Man to the finish line.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 David Cameron runs in charity mud race. BBC News (2009-12-28). Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harper, Tom (2009-12-28). David Cameron beaten to the finish line by three young girls in charity run. The Daily Mail. Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
  3. ↑ History. Great Brook Run. Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
  4. ↑ Littlejohn, Georgina & Hale, Beth (2009-12-27). After this, the election will be easy! David Cameron gets muddy as he burns off the Christmas turkey with a stream run for charity. The Daily Mail. Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
  5. ↑ Wilkinson, Matt (2008-12-28). Cameron braves cold to finish Great Brook Run. This Is Oxfordshire. Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
  6. ↑ Next Event. Great Brook Run. Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
  7. ↑ Tory leader finds new running mates. Oxford Mail (2009-12-28). Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
  8. ↑ Latest News and Events. The Cotswold Brewing Co. Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
  9. ↑ The Great Brook Run. Throwing Beans. Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
  10. ↑ Cameron defeated in charity run. BBC News (2008-12-27). Retrieved on 2009-12-28.
  11. ↑ River run raises cash for school. BBC News (2007-12-27). Retrieved on 2009-12-28.

External links

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