XODUS GROUP YTHAN CHALLENGE 2012
Sunday 17th June 2012
10th April: Preparations are well under way for this year's race. The organising team had our first walk around the course this evening and feel it's looking really good although the grass hasn't started to grow long yet. We've identified a number of small changes that we hope will keep the course interesting and to take away the advantage of memory from our seasoned runners. You'll need to keep an eye on the signs and marshalls on the day to ensure you don't get lost. As for local wildlife, we definitely wont use the wasps this year although we did spot a couple of deer enjoying the peace and quiet. New obstacles? You'll just have to wait and see. We can say the course will be roughly the same overall distance as last year.
Entries for the 2012 event are now closed
Entries for this year's Xodus Ythan Challenge have reached capacity in record time. Competitors for the race were quick off the mark to register and all 500 spaces had filled up in only four hours. The 12th Xodus Ythan Challenge takes place on Sunday, June 17. Alison Chalmers, chair of the Ythan Challenge organising committee, said: "There is always great interest when entries open for the Xodus Ythan Challenge but this year has gone way beyond our expectations. To have so many people interested in taking part shows how popular the event is."
Our headline sponsor for for this year's race is once again Aberdeen-based energy consultancy Xodus Group who are generously supporting us in the second of a three year deal.
Our thanks go to Xodus and to our other sponsors, North East Corrosion Engineers Ltd, McIntosh Plant Hire Ltd, Talisman Energy and especially to our first sponsor and partner The Running Shop, who are supplying the prizes once again this year in association with Mizuno...
LOCAL GROUPS BENEFIT FROM THE XODUS YTHAN CHALLENGE
Almost £3,000 has been handed out to North-east groups by organisers of the Xodus Ythan Challenge.
Last year’s race, the 11th event to be held, saw more than 300 runners complete the adventure spectacle.
The £2,800 was split between 13 groups which were instrumental in the success of race, which starts at the Meadows Sports Centre in Ellon with runners following an 11.5km course onto the Esslemont Estate.
Alison Chalmers, chair of the Ythan Challenge organising committee, said: “Without the help of these groups the event wouldn’t be the success it is. We’re delighted to be able to give them this money and look forward to their continued support for next year’s event.” James Knipe, lead engineer at Xodus Group, said: “The Xodus Ythan Challenge is one of the most challenging adventure races in the North-east and we're proud to be the event's title sponsor. It's great that almost £3,000 of the money raised will benefit a number of local community groups and I'm sure the additional funding will be extremely welcome. We're already looking forward to next summer's event and hope it attracts even more new entrants who are willing to test their endurance around the course.”
Money was given to the Meadows Sports Centre, the 1990 (Ellon) Squadron Air Training Corp, St Andrews First Aid, 1st Ellon Boys’ Brigade, Ellon Hockey Club, Ythan Amateur Swimming Club and Victoria Hall. The Aberdeen Surf Lifesaving Club, Alan Middleton Trust, Aberdeen Coastguard Rescue Team, Ellon Girl Guides, Ellon Rugby Club and the Scottish Ambulance Service also benefited from the event.
Here's this year's official Xodus Ythan Challenge video, with thanks to Rory Rait @ Raw Format
Our 2011 Photo Gallery here!
Full results here!
Results of your feedback here!
The Xodus Ythan Challenge is organised by the community groups which benefit most from it through an organising committee comprising representatives from The Meadows sports centre in Ellon, Ellon Rugby Club, Ellon FC, Ythan Amateur Swimming Club, Ellon Boys Brigade, Ellon Ladies Hockey Club, the Middleton Trust, and 1990 Ellon Sqn Air Cadets.
