On Friday 27^th June, Rochdale Harriers & A.C (RHAC) are running the entire 200-mile GM Ringway trail as a continuous night and day relay.

RHAC will begin their challenge at the start of Stage 12 (Norden) in the early hours of Friday morning with two of their most experienced fell runners; Steve Leak and David Bull.  They will set off in the darkness carrying a baton which will be passed on at the end of each subsequent leg to another pair of RHAC runners.

Lead organiser John Mayall said: “When the GM Ringway was announced, we immediately thought what a fabulous route. Some legs are perfect for our road runners and others for our fell runners.

“We have also had great fun recceing the route, and have made sure all abilities can take part. We even have a designated section for some of our older junior members. We hope to finish early afternoon on Saturday 27th, back in Norden, where we started.  Then it’s off into town to celebrate!”.

The RHAC are no strangers to such mega-relays, having run the Wainwright Coast-to-Coast challenge last year (198 miles in 42hr, 06 min), and the entire Pennine Way (268 miles in 56hr, 41 min) in 2024.

Like these, the GM Ringway event will be approached as a series of back-to-back training runs, rather than an official race, and will be monitored by web-based GPS tracking throughout.

RHAC are also using their GM Ringway relay challenge to raise money for the SpringHill Hospice in Rochdale, and anyone wishing to support their fundraising campaign can donate by clicking here.