Corus steps up to the Challenge

19 Jan 2008

One of the most prestigious cross-country races in Britain – and the leading event of its kind in Wales - has won significant sponsorship from Corus.

The Cardiff UK X Challenge Wales on January 20 is receiving support worth around £3,000 from the steel giant, helping the event to offer its field of runners some big money prizes.  An established fixture in the UK cross-country calendar, the competition attracts runners from all parts of the British Isles. 

Among the athletes already registered to take part are senior women’s title favourite, Swansea Harrier and Commonwealth Games 10,000m finalist Catherine Dugdale, who is using the race as preparation for her attempt at becoming Welsh Cross-Country Champion for the eighth year in a row.

The X Challenge – which is held in the grounds of Cardiff Castle leading into Blackweir Fields – incorporates a range of men's, women's and young people's races, including an inter-area match, schools’ invitation races and masters’ open 6k.

This year, two new events have been added to the programme: Running4Women, an introduction to cross-country running for women of all abilities, and Primary Schools - a 1km races for both girls and boys.

“The course is marked up to national standards and incorporates a mixture of flat fast running and woodland and riverside sections,” said Meeting Director Graham Finlayson BEM.

“As well as featuring some of the country’s top athletes in the inter-area race between the North and South of England, Midland Counties and Wales – the two new events are aimed at introducing more people to our sport.

“We hope our primary schools competition will encourage more youngsters to take part in athletics, and also that the 2k Running4Women event will persuade women who jog around the streets to try cross-country. It’s a great day out for all the family.”  

This is the first time that Corus has been the main sponsor of the 10-year-old event.  Mr Finlayson added: “The help that we’re getting from Corus is brilliant and helps us sustain the level of prize money, as well as contributing to the infrastructure of the event.”

Corus Community Spokesman Keith Farron said: “We are delighted to add such a renowned and popular race to the collection of major sporting events that are sponsored by Corus and enjoyed by many of our staff and their families.

“In the past 12 months, we’ve also supported British Triathlon, the Welsh Castles Relay and Richard Burton 10k, among many others. The Cardiff X Challenge is an impressive addition to our portfolio and we hope to continue the association over years to come.”

For further details on the event, visit www.cardiffxchallenge.co.uk