The River Ayr Way Challenge 2009

The River Ayr Way Challenge 2009

The River Ayr Way is Scotland’s first source to sea route which follows the river Ayr from its source at Glenbuck Loch for 44 miles (66kms) to the sea at Ayr.

The majority of the route is on a built path which passes through a variety of terrain. The run begins from Glenbuck and follows a dismantled railway line over moorland before changing into a more urban landscape as you reach the towns of Sorn and Catrine. The route then changes to become more riverside, woodland terrain passing through Barskimming Estate, the villages of Failford and Stair before finally finishing at the coastal town of Ayr.

The River Ay Way Challenge is now in its 2nd year and welcomes both walkers and ultra runners to participate. This year the event will be held on the 12th and 13th September 2009 with ultra runners welcome along on Saturday 12th to participate.

The cost of the event is £15 per person and helps to pay for emergency support, logistics, water stops and T-shirts.

In September 2008, 23 ultra runners took part in the event. The winning time for this event was 6 hours 24 minutes.

For further details or if you would like to register please e-mail louise.kyle@east-ayrshire.gov.uk

You can also ask to be sponsored for taking part in the Challenge. We are raising funds this year for The Fairy Box charity which exists to help support ill children in hospital, their families, and the medical and nursing staff involved in their care.

At the heart of the charity’s work is the Fairy Box itself – a themed gift box which sits on the children’s wards and which is filled with small gifts of books,toys, and games - lovingly donated - so that parents, medical and nursing staffcaring for ill children can have access to a gift to help dry the tears of a child who is feeling sad or blue in hospital – and so help them on the road to recovery.

Medical and nursing staff are increasingly supportive of using the Fairy Box to help dry tears when a child has had to undergo a difficult or upsetting treatment.

Please request a sponsor form from Louise Kyle by e-mailing louise.kyle@east-ayrshire.gov.uk or telephoning 01563 55471

Entrants can choose to support a different charity if they so wish. If you would like to participate and support and alternative charity please let me know by e-mailing me at the above address

Kind regards

Louise Kyle