September 2010
Falkirk invited to Fun Sporting Challenge...Be a part of the Wee Chase
This weekend, Nicholas Shearer from Falkirk and his
family will be taking part in fun sporting challenge, the ‘Wee Chase’, which
is being held to celebrate 200 years since Sir Walter Scott penned the world
famous poem Lady of the Lake.
The Wee Chase, taking place in the heart of the
beautiful Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park on 25 September, is a
unique event fusing both sport and culture to celebrate the iconic poem, as
part of the Scottsland festival.
Nicholas, together with his wife Fiona and their three
children, Niamh (5), Adean (3) and Eilidh (1) will follow a 5km cycle route
from Callander through the forest towards Loch Venacher. Here they will then
embark on the Chase Challenge Treasure Hunt, with scored orienteering tasks
and a series of physical and mental special stages. To
complete the event they will make their way back through the forest by bike,
to Callander, for a medieval style celebration with local food and
entertainment.
Nicholas, who works in computer systems for the
Forestry Commission said, “We were looking for something to do as a family
and this will give us a great excuse to get out on our bikes and make the
most of the last of the summer. The kids can’t ride alone
or without stabilisers so we a child seat for the youngest and trailer bikes
for the other two. Some of our friends are also taking part with their
daughter - everyone is really looking forward to it.”
On the day there will also be an off road duathlon
called The Chase, aimed at ‘weekend warriors’ looking to experience the
thrill of the great outdoors in a more fast paced environment.
The Chase is a bike-run-bike event, covering approximately 40miles,
based on the same themes and route of the poem.
The Chase and the Wee Chase are signature events
forming part of ScottsLand, a diverse programme of up to 44 cultural and
literary events, promoted by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, to
celebrate the poem, the heritage of the Trossachs and its landscape.
The Lady of the Lake describes how King James V,
disguised as a knight, attempts to hunt a stag and eventually seeks shelter
on an island on Loch Katrine, summoned by the beautiful Ellen Douglas (the
Lady of the Lake).
Elspeth McLachlan, ScottsLand Project Director said:
“This is the first sporting event to take place in the National Park with a
direct link to our rich cultural heritage. This will be the final event of
our ScottsLand programme, a fitting way to celebrate Sir Walter Scott’s
contribution to Scotland’s cultural identity gathering at the place which
inspired him in the heart of the National Park.”
Liz Shortall from the Forestry Commission added, “The
event will also take participants through Scotland's landscape scale
woodland restoration project - The Great Trossachs Forest - which is an
additional draw to the area that I think Scott would have welcomed."
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer of
EventScotland said: “EventScotland is very pleased to be supporting this
inspirational event. The ITU Duathlon World Championships were staged in
Holyrood Park at the start of September so the Chase provides a wonderful
opportunity for budding athletes to have a go themselves after watching the
experts in action a few weeks earlier.”
Entries for The Chase and the Wee Chase are open at
www.thechaserace.co.uk. For more
information please call 01772 447979. There is currently a 40% discount on
entries to The Chase on the website taking it to just £24!
The Chase is a partner programme supported by Loch
Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish
Natural Heritage, EventScotland and Stirling Council.