Cragg Challenge is on for 2018 with added fun

Organisers have confirmed that arrangements are being made to repeat the successful Cragg Challenge in 2018.
Flashback to last year's Cragg ChallengeFlashback to last year's Cragg Challenge
Flashback to last year's Cragg Challenge

This year’s challenge will be held on Sunday, September 23 and will again feature running and cycling events on the longest continuous climb in England. This year also sees the addition of a major new event - The Cragg Challenge Soap Box Derby.

Up to 25 carts will compete over a short course to determine the inaugural champion.

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Read: The search begins for our Italian Restaurant of the YearPhil Rodda, chairman of the organising committee, said: “We haven’t really stopped since last year’s event finished.

“We talked to competitors, residents and spectators, looked over our planning to see what could be improved and we’ve just gone for it.

“The proposed addition of the soap box derby is creating a real buzz - there are lots of teams already expressing interest.

“Of course, all of this is dependent on getting a road closure approved by Calderdale Council and reaching agreement with our main sponsors.”

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Phil also drew attention to the public consultation that is being conducted and that the application for the road closure and event management plan has been submitted to the local authority.

Read: Child trafficking and modern slavery cases reported in Calderdale“We’ve leafleted well over 500 residential properties - essentially all residents affected by the road closure - response forms can still be handed in at local pubs, churches and the library in Mytholmroyd.

“We’re looking to reduce the time that the whole road is closed this year, despite increasing the number of events,” Phil said.

“We can confirm that there will be 5k, 10k and 10-mile running events as last year, and the amazing Collinge Climb (a free-to enter schools relay) will run again.

“Then there’s the soap box derby, and there will be at least one cycling event.”

Entries are expected to open in May.