PCR TT SERIES 2021 (October)
The October Challenge
The Plymouth Coastal Runners (PCR) Time Trial (TT) is a ‘virtual’ time trial normally held on the first weekend of every month. A different route each month. It's virtual in the sense all routes are set up as Strava ‘segments’ so there is no set start time; you can go out whenever you like, on your own or with a group. Run, Walk, Crawl, everyone's invited. Results are collected at the end to produce a leaderboard. For more info Click Here: TT Series
For October only, as part of the South West Coast Path (SWCP) Challenge, rather than just one weekend you have the whole of the month (1st-31st October) to run the set routes as many times as you want with your fastest result being used in the final leaderboard. However, for your time to be counted on the leaderboard, an entrance fee has been paid. In return for this participants you get a months worth of TTs, a medal to rival last years, PCR headwear and at least £5 (as long as we get the numbers) split between SWCPA (50%), Alzheimer's Research UK (25%) and Mind (25%). A raffle will also be held for all participants.
Sponsors
Charities
Welcome to the 6th instalment of the PCR October TT Challenge... The 12 Labours
A few years back I completed the 12 Labours of Hercules Race, the brainchild of Richard Weremiuk (the man behind Beyond Marathon); 12 Routes, 78miles in 24hours. The race was one of the most fun I've done, with tasks and challenges throughout the 24hours to complete along the way. It was so much fun I did it again! The race has not run for the last few years and Rich gave me permission to bring the race 'down south' pre covid but then, well you know what happened!
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So I figured as we enter our 6th year of the October Challenge, lets go a little bonkers and combine the two ideas. So your mission should you choose to accept it is to complete at least one or all of the Labours; 1 is a mile, 1 is 2miles, 1 is 3miles... to 12, roughly anyway... those that know me well know you always get a little more for your money with me!!! Unlike me you won't have 24hrs or like Hercules a series of years, you will have 31 days to complete as many of the routes as possible. In completing some of the routes you'll complete the stretch of coastpath between Rame Head and The Yealm... There's a challenge in itself. The idea is to provide something for everyone, from your average plodder to your ultra enthusiast and the bonus you get to be a part of this myth as the hero/heroine of the story!
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You may have guessed, marking these routes and expecting them to stay up for a whole month is not going to happen, everyone will receive printable paper maps and all the usual electronic mapping resources of a usual TT. The routes will be out and back and something will mark the half way point. This will all come clear in the e-mails over the coming months.
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For all routes and timings please start and stop your GPS in the set location, Strava will record your time for the segment. The set locations will ensure you get the segment.
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What if COVID strikes again and we're all back in Lockdown again between now and October?
As per last year, let's hope we're not! The medals and any other goodies will have been purchased by the time we know and each transaction incurs booking fees so we very simply turn the "October Challenge" into the "Whichever Month" Challenge next year, same format etc just a different month.
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How does it work?
The event relies on Strava to record the time over the specific route segments. Therefore, after you have signed up for the event, if you don’t have an account on Strava you will need to create one. You can use a GPS watch or the free Strava app on a smartphone to record your run on any of the routes set. Take part whenever you like, day or night. Run, Walk, Crawl. Whatever you fancy! The whole family, dogs and any other pets that you fancy taking out are all invited!
Once you have finished, if you got the segment, you don't need to do anything else, if you didn't send the link to the usual email address (this will be emailed to you in case you don't already know it) and share your experience on the Facebook group if you like. Repeat as many times as you wish during the month, this year however only your quickest time will be on the leaderboard. This is to reduce the level of admin as rather than three, there are twelve possible routes...
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Routes:
With so many routes, some may be all about quickest time, some may simply be completion, some may have an additional challenge, all this will become apparent over the coming months. 78miles should you complete all tasks, works out just shy of 20 miles a week... You still get the goodies as long as you complete one of the tasks, yes even the one miler - It's about getting you out exploring... not beasting yourself to the n'th degree unless that's what you're in to.
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The Medal and a Giraffe:
It's nothing shy of a spectacle! Our logo as it would have been back in the times of the Ancient Greeks surrounded by depictions of the labours created by Igor, an illustrator in Russia! Did I mention you may need a second neck to hold it? I hope to sort a social or two in November, assuming no further issues with COVID which will be the time to collect your bling. If for whatever reason you can't make it, you will be able to pick them up from me in Plymouth as per previous years. A Giraffe as well as being a rather large animal found in Africa is also a piece of multifunctional headwear, so you can have one of them to!
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Proud to support:
Holly's PomBombs:
This year we've joined forces with Holly’s Pombombs to raise further awareness of the importance of Mental Health and suicide prevention… Expect a lot of colour, our members have been mega busy making pompoms!
https://hollyspombombs.wixsite.com/hollyspombombs
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The SWCPA:
Where would you walk and run if the Coast Path didn’t exist? 9 million people every year use the South West Coast Path to experience nature and adventure as well as support their mental and physical well-being, but most don’t realise the hard work that goes into keeping the coastline accessible.
The South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA) works to secure the way to the sea and hidden beaches, educate explorers of all ages and backgrounds on how to get the most from the Path, provide a safe corridor where local plants and wildlife can flourish, and ultimately ensure that exploring wild, beautiful coastal landscapes is free and easy for everyone. But, due to ever increasing pressure on budgets, as a charity and champion for the National Trail, we must raise ever more for the Path. Add to that increasingly extreme weather battering the coast, brought about by climate change; erosion caused by the growing number of feet on the Path; the finite lifespan of essential infrastructure like bridges, way-markers and steps, and you can see why it costs £1000 per mile per year, just to keep the 630-mile trail open.
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/
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MIND:
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Campaigning to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Everyone experiencing a mental health problem should receive support and respect. Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. But hundreds of thousands of people are still struggling. No one should have to face a mental health problem alone. They listen, give support and advice, and fight your corner.
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Alzheimer's Research UK:
Our vision is a world where people are free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.
Without effective treatments, one in three children born today will die with dementia. Today, there are no dementia survivors but research can change this.
Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity, dedicated to causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure. Backed by our passionate scientists and supporters, we’re challenging the way people think about dementia, uniting the big thinkers in the field and funding the innovative science that will deliver a cure.
Our mission is to bring about the first life-changing dementia treatment by 2025. With your support, we’re working across four key areas of action.
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Understand the diseases that cause dementia.
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Diagnose people earlier and more accurately.
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Reduce risk, backed by the latest evidence.
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Treat dementia effectively.
Through these important strands of work, we're bringing about breakthroughs that will change lives.
https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/
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Disclaimer:
This is a social event and not a race. It is your responsibility to look after your own safety, not the organiser or PCR. You complete the routes in your own time, any time between 1st and 31st October inclusive. There is no insurance, prizes etc... You do the routes at your own risk (be aware there could be muds, floods, cows, rabbit holes, dogs, other humans, horses, badgers, roads, cars etc along the way) and hopefully have a good time exploring the coastpath and surrounding area!
For a TT attempt to be added to the leaderboard it must register as the segment on Strava. Attempts which do not register as a segment due to navigational or GPS errors will be added to the leaderboard but outside of the main results. Results must be emailed to: plymouthcoastalrunners@outlook.com
Have fun, be careful and considerate of other users of the paths! Please apply common sense regarding dogs on/off leads especially around livestock and shut gates behind you especially when animals are present! Feel free to share the event to get as many people as possible involved.
By getting involved with our events you agree to adhere to the National COVID restrictions and Countryside Code.
Much Love! Happy Running!
#SWCP #SWCPchallenge2021 #PlymouthCoastalRunners #PCRTT #PCR #getoutside #timetoplay #plymouth #getinvolved
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