Clarendon Marathon and Half Marathon

§staticmap(1490,5,450,250) Hello, on October 6th 2013, you’ll be organizing the Great Clarendon Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located? The Clarendon Marathon is run between the two cathedral cities of Salisbury in Wiltshire and Winchester in Hampshire. It follows the Clarendon Way, an ancient route linking the two cities. How old is the race and why was it created in the first place? The race has been operating for a decade, set up by Paul Elderkin, a keen runner himself. What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it? The route is mostly off-road and we would class the marathon as an ‘ultra event’. Parts of it are fairly narrow with steep inclines. It is a very picturesque route, but probably not for the fair hearted. Our slogan is ‘it’s tough, but you’ll love it!’ Credit : Clarendon Way Races How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract? Just over 1,000 runners are likely to take part, of which some will be regular off-road runners and others who are running as part of a 4-person relay team; many of these teams are raising money for charity. Do you organize other races during the Weekend? If so, on what distances? The event includes a full marathon, a half marathon and a relay event (4 people per team) – all follow the same route. At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect? Last year it was clear and mild but October weather is never very predictable and the conditions this year might not be as kind to those taking part. Credit : Clarendon Way Races Have you planned festivities around the marathon? The whole event is run by volunteers to raise money for local charities. We try to create a fun atmosphere along the route (there are 10 drinks stations, each run by a different Hampshire charity) and at the finish where most spectators congregate. Runners continue to comment as to how well run and how friendly the event is. The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Winchester before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing? For those with some energy left, the cathedral city of Winchester offers plenty to see and experience. A visit to Winchester Cathedral is a must, but a walk through the Water Meadows and lunch at the Wykeham Arms public house is highly recommended. In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Great Clarendon Marathon? The Clarendon Marathon is an iconic event in the UK’s ultra-marathon calendar and will appeal to those looking for a fun challenge running through some of the South’s most beautiful countryside. As I would like the interview to have a personal touch, can you introduce yourself in one or two sentences? Credit : Clarendon Way Races Interview with Roger Walker, Chairman of the Clarendon Marathon Organising Committee. Roger works with a 250 strong team of volunteers in helping manage this event. They work hard each year to create a fun and safe event, to which runners of all abilities are very welcome to take part.