by tracy walker

Last updated at 11:36, Thursday, 19 July 2012

THE Olympic Torch relay inspired many and brought thousands of people out to line the streets of Cumbria and cheer on the torch bearers.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

It also got one man thinking about staging an alternative torch relay, to reach some of those beautiful parts of our county that the official route had missed. He also wanted to showcase some of the fantastic sporting organisations the area has.

Les Barker, who works at Sellafield and is secretary of Whinlatter-based Cyclewise Academy mountain bike club, threw down a challenge to friends in other Cumbrian sports clubs to create a great day out for an alternative torch.

And so the Dawn-to-Dusk Challenge was born: an epic 80-mile route involving more than 60 people, aged from eight to 65, from a cross section of sports clubs.

The ‘torch’ – no flame this time – was handcrafted by Kevin Rooney of Whitehaven, from a Cumbrian deer antler. Cyclewise Academy co-ordinated the relay.

The route went as high as Scafell Pike, courtesy of Cumberland Fellrunners, and as low as the Wastwater Gnome Garden (45m+ deep), thanks to Solway Sub-Aqua Club. A group of teenage mountain bikers rode the highest rideable bridleway – on Helvellyn.

There were also horse riders, road cyclists, triathletes and canoeists doing their bit.

The event was held on Saturday, kicking off at sunrise (4.36am) from Whinlatter Forest, near Keswick. Cyclewise Academy riders made their way to Crummock Water where they handed the torch to Lakeland Triathlon Club members who swam a length of the lake.

Lakes Road Club members then mountain biked to Wastwater, over Scarth Gap and Blacksail Pass, where Solway Sub-Aqua Club dived to 45m+ before passing the baton to Cumberland Fellrunners who headed up Scafell Pike.

Horse riders from the Endurance GB Cumbria Group transported the torch from Wasdale to Boot in Eskdale where they handed over to Honister 92 cyclists who headed to Ullswater, via Hardknott Pass and Kirkstone Pass.

The eighth leg involved Cyclewise Academy mountain bikers heading from Glenridding to Helvellyn Summit. Grisedale Tarn to Derwentwater was covered by fellrunners and cyclists who left Copeland Canoe Club to do the honours across Derwentwater.

The canoeists were met at Derwentwater Marina by junior members of Cumberland Fellrunners who headed up to Whinlatter.

The 12th and final leg was completed by Cyclewise Academy mountain-biking juniors, ending up where the torch had set off 16 hours, 32 minutes earlier. Thus completing the Dawn-to-Dusk Challenge – with 44 minutes to spare.

Organiser Les Barker, of Papcastle, Cockermouth, was delighted with how the day panned out. “There were near misses with bikes and deer on the roads, swimmers with cramp, horses up to their bellies in mud and lots of sweat from the 60 people who took part.

“But along with the bumps and bruises there were many laughs and feelings of camaraderie.

“It was a great day, involving many of the fantastic outdoor sports clubs we have on our doorsteps.”

First published at 11:12, Thursday, 19 July 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk