The Moonlight Flit, May 18th
Wild Running launches The Moonlight Flit night running race on the evening of Saturday May 18th
The first night race to be held in Totnes, takes place in May when the Moonlight Flit run comes to Sharpham.
Runners will set off at dusk and finish in the dark, outside Sharpham House overlooking the iconic River Dart. Organisers Ceri Rees and Ben Tisdall, who wanted to offer a ‘slightly wild’ challenge suitable for all abilities, have included three races: The 20km Moonlight Flit, the 10km Moonlight Flitlet and the shorter Sharpham Shuffle, which is a 3km fun run for younger or less experienced runners.
Participants in the Moonlight Flit or the Moonlight Flitlet will need to wear head torches as both races finish after dark. The 3K Sharpham Shuffle starts earlier and starts and finishes in daylight.
All of the runs will be spectator friendly and the two main events will feature a one and two lap circuit of green lanes, bridle ways and forest paths, respectively. Runners will be played out and back by a ukulele band and refreshments will be included in the cost of entry, while visitors can also feast on locally sourced BBQ, which will be run by Ambios.
Ceri and Ben have combined their experience and knowledge of local routes, through their businesses Wild Running and Triathlon.co.uk, to offer a tough, challenging experience for participants, which is something a bit different from the standard road running fare.
They hope that the event can build on the first Wild Night Run, which took place in South Brent in February and attracted over 170 runners, many of whom had never run on Dartmoor before.
The event will also raise money for a new edible trail at Sharpham. Ceri said: “Ben and I wanted to attract people who may be looking for a totally new kind of experience and thanks to Sharpham, they will be able to do it from one of South Devon’s most stunning locations. As this is right on our doorstep, we both thought that this would make a superb setting and the idea of supporting an edible trail, is completely in line with what we are trying to encourage, an appreciation of the outdoors and a physical connection with nature by exploring your wild side.”
Ben said: “This is an event, which can be appreciated by participants and spectators alike. It will be tough and it’s certainly no picnic in the park, so you will need to get in shape, but there will be opportunities to try out the route, with Wild Running. Prizes will also be presented at the sharp end of the field.”
The 1km shuffle (aged ten and under): 7.15pm. Cost £2
The 3km Sharpham Shuffle fun run: 7.30pm, entry costs £4
The 20Km Moonlight Flit starts at 8.15pm and the entry cost of £20 includes a high quality event t-shirt
The 10Km Moonlight Flitlet starts at 8.40pm and the entry cost of £15 includes a high quality event t-shirt.
If you would like to learn more, visit www.wildnightrun.co.uk or book tickets at the link below