Last Call For iROC

A last minute reminder for competitive northern-based OMers that there's still time to roll up and compete in the first ever iROC adventure race weekend in the Durham Dales over 18-19 May, 2009.

Hundreds of people have already signed up to take part in the event, which is sponsored by Weardale outdoors brand inov-8, but you can still sign up on the day. It looks like being an outstanding event with some unique and innovative features.


It's being held amid stunning surroundings in Weardale with the event centred on a disused quarry and former cement works site at the heart of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The venue sounds amazing, has rarely been accessed by the public and includes a large quarry, steep hillsides with complex contour features and forest areas.

The race itself consists of six different smaller races with a mountain biking time trial, fell races and orienteering events. All of them have a mass start and pass through the event village at least once.

You can enter as an individual, as part of a team of three or a pair - if you race as the latter, you can either go it together or individually, something race director Shane Ohly reckons will go down well with parents who'll be able to take it in turns to mind the kids. As an added attraction, a bar together with live entertainment are being laid on for Saturday night.

The first fell-running race kicks off with a mass start at 11.00am this Saturday, 18 April and the event rolls on from there.

You can find full details along with online entry facilities plus images of the course at www.iroc-race.com