This family-friendly, multi-terrain event was organised by the villages of Arnseby, Bruntingthorpe, Peatling Parva and Shearsby and took participants on a scenic tour around these locations in the South Leicestershire countryside. Youngsters were welcome to try the challenge as were dogs though the latter needed to be agile when it came to the 80 gates and stiles! The same applied to their owners.

The British weather played its part too with the recent storms and downpours resulting in the muddiest Peatling Challenge to date. Participants in ‘The Mile’ started first at 9.45am followed by those in ‘The Seven’ and ‘The Thirteen’ at 10.30am.

They quickly got into the thick of things as they completed their chosen distance on well-marked routes consisting of footpaths, tracks and fields. The 7 miler was a single loop around the four villages with a water station at half way: the 13 miler used the same loop as the 7 miler followed by another separate course and there were an extra two water stations plus a feed station half way.

Friendly marshals cheered and encouraged them all the way and there were smiles along with muddy legs (and paws!) at the finish. They relaxed with tea and homemade cakes in Peatling Parva Village Hall.

The mud didn’t spoil the participants’ enjoyment of the event with many vowing to return next year. They praised the organisation, support and course and last but not least, the cakes.

Image courtesy of Chris Walkington/Rob Rush