Runners are invited to join this year's Mayor’s Challenge

Mayor of Hebden Royd, Councillor Val Stevens.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 this has meant that all physical fundraising events during this time have had to be cancelled.

In response to this, the Mayor Coun Val Stevens, is inviting experienced and confident runners to take on the Mayor’s Charity Challenge between Easter and the Spring Bank Holidays.

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The Covid-safe Charity Challenge is to raise funds for the Mayor’s chosen charity, Hebden Bridge & District Old People’s Welfare Committee, who exist for the benefit of all older people in the Upper Calder Valley.

Mayor of Hebden Royd Coun Stevens said: “Spring is a fantastic time of year for runners, it’s the perfect temperature for long runs, the evenings become lighter and it’s the ideal time to explore our beautiful green Valley as well as running for charity too. Sign up is free and there is no minimum sponsorship, just whatever you can raise for this fantastic local charity!

“As we are not allowed spectators at present, we ask non-runners to support the challenge by sponsoring the runners via our Just Giving sponsor page.”

The two challenges include:

The ‘Round about Hebden Royd’ | 17.38k and 588m of climb

The route starts in Hebden bridge and climbs up to and takes in the iconic Stoodley pike monument. Dropping down to pass Withins reservoir and across Cragg Vale to Mytholmroyd, and a gentle return to Hebden Bridge along the canal.

Around the Trigs - Tough Trigs Challenge | Approx. 17km

This is a challenge taking you up onto the high moorland outside the Hebden Royd boundaries. You can either visit three of the trigs listed or all five. The trig points are Cock Hill, Crow Hill, Manshead End, Little Holder Stones, and Stoodley Pike.

To take part residents can request a registration pack by emailing [email protected]. They will then be sent a registration form, details of the two routes, as well as the online sponsorship details.

Choose a route and select any date up until May 3 to complete it, using an activity tracking device to record the run. Then it’s a case of fundraising, and people can gather sponsorship online using the Mayor’s Charity Challenge Just Giving page.