Entries open for 2023 Dalbeattie Hardrock Challenge

Entries are now open for the 19th Dalbeattie Hardrock Challenge.

The duathlon will take place on Sunday, October 8, with the junior event the day before.

Co-organisers Andy Webster and Stuart Macintosh believe the routes in Dalbeattie Forest are likely to be the same as last year as, while storm damage has been cleared, some adjacent trees are still considered to be suspect.

The senior event features a 10 mile run, which is tougher than the equivalent road run with 700 feet of height gain and a mixture of forest road and rough path.

The 16 mile bike section is over the red route and has a height gain of more than 1,000 feet over the most technical of the 7Stanes.

Entrants are encouraged to read the event description, rules and safety information on the Dalbeattie Hardrock Facebook page and should not enter on a whim as a fair degree of fitness and stamina will be required.

A time limit will be applied if necessary to ensure a reasonable finish, with prizegiving at the Kings Arms when everyone has been safely accounted for.

The junior event has two routes – one for eight to 11-year-olds and one for 12 to 15-year-olds. These are designed to give them a taste of the main event.

Both events are open to individuals or teams of two and can be entered by searching for Dalbeattie Hardrock Challenge on www.sientries.co.uk