THE 24TH annual Salisbury 54321 Trail Marathon returns to the city this weekend - with more than 1,000 runners and walkers having registered.
The event, organised by local members of the Fire Sports UK out of Salisbury Fire Station, has four racing and 6 walking options, takes place on Sunday, August 11.
Entries have now closed, but those registered include athletes from across the UK and international entries from as far as South Africa, New Zealand, and Alaska.
Starting from Ashley Green, the routes take participants over picturesque trails around the City, surrounding villages and Wilton, including Salisbury's five rivers, four hills, three country estates, two castles and past the cathedral.
Races start from 9:30am and distances vary from a 50k Ultra Marathon (the most popular), to a 42k marathon, 33k trail, 21k half marathon races - and options also to walk these distances - and more family friendly 5k and 10k walking challenges.
Participants include Sergeant Nick Bailey from Wiltshire Police, who is running the marathon in support of the Stars Appeal, alongside more than a dozen from the Critical Care Team of the District Hospital, that helped him and others in the wake of the novichok incident in the city.
Also taking part is Harnham’s Norbert Weber, who is speed walking in the half marathon to raise money for the Harnham Parish Hall Transformation Project.
Norbert aims to speed walk the half marathon in just 160 minutes, which will beat his personal best.
His race leaves the fire station at 11am, and the route will take him on footpaths, bridleways and country roads, arriving in the Cathedral Close around 1.10pm.
Norbert, who came to the UK from Serbia 5 years ago, is delighted to have just received confirmation of his settled status in the UK, and wants to say thank you to the UK, to Salisbury, and to Harnham Parish Churches for welcoming him and making him feel so at home in Salisbury.
All the money he raises through sponsorship will support the project to transform Harnham Parish Hall in Lower Street into a community hub for the whole of Harnham.
The Parish has already raised over £75,000 towards the £200,000 needed.
If you would like to sponsor Norbert, contact Harnham Parish Office on harnhamparish@btinternet.com or on 07925108856.
For more information on the event visit: www.salisbury54321.com
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