I'll have to mention it to the cobra lot, although I doubt Waylander will be interested as it crosses over to the dark side for the finish!

Hi everyone,
I'm really keen to enter this as although I live in Sheffield I'm from Birmingham and always eager to combine visits to family with races, plus all the half marathons near me in the summer involve running up and down in the peak district, and I prefer something a bit flatter in the heat...

Anyway, I was wondering just how bad that tunnel is, do you think they might put some kind of portable light thing( no idea how ) in it?

Really wish you luck on this event Mr Organizer. Regrettably a bout of piracy at Dorney lake the following week will keep me away.

Best of.

jo_21: Well, you can see the end of the tunnel from the start, so it's not thatbad (see http://www.mike-stevens.co.uk/reports/cruise1986a/097a22.htm) It's about 400 yards long, takes 4-5 minutes to walk through. Doubt they'll put lights in - think he said to bring a torch :)

Right, just entered! Have to stop moaning about no events in Birmingham now!!

Would be so good if this can take off, good luck to the organizer!!

Wow! Thanks for all your comments, I am Mr Organiser so it's nice to see there is some interest in the race!

The tunnel is pretty long and I think the best way to deal with it at present is for people to bring a torch and someone will hand out your torches at the start of the tunnel and someone else can collect them at the end of it!

Unless anyone knows a good detour?

The other alternative I am considering is lighting up the tunnel but I can't conceive of a way to get powered lighting set up in the middle of nowhere!

Regarding the sponsorship - I reiterate that it is optional. It is quite a lot to raise and if you raise ANYTHING I will be very grateful! As pointed out, if 50 people raise just £10 each I will reach my target.

I am going to put flyers in local running shops, sports centres, etc soon. First I need a sponsor - a local business willing to give a bit to charity in return for having their logo on the flyers and other publicity. Let me know if you can think of any!

In the meantime publicise this event by inviting your friends/running clubs along!

And yes, hopefully the event (or a similar event) will be properly run in future. If we get a good turnout on the day we can go to the council with this and try and get something set up!

Thanks,
Andy K

The word is certainly getteing around as my club have e-mailed me about this even though I was going to tell them about it :-)

Well I'm certainly up for the 10k.
Where would that start from in Dudley?

Andy K: Do we just turn up on the day? - I'm sure I can raise at least £20.

rc: Drinks at Brindley Place then after :)
Maybe you need to start work on a car plan a la tissington proportions :)

Well I'm certainly up for the 10k.
Where would that start from in Dudley?

Andy K: Do we just turn up on the day? - I'm sure I can raise at least £20.
I've entered online ( even though there isn't online entry for 10k - I've attached a note saying I only wish to do the 10k )
Presume this is the only way to receive a sponsorship form?

rc: Drinks at Brindley Place then after :)
Maybe you need to start work on a car plan a la tissington proportions :)

HI ALL I LIVE CLOSE TO THE TUNNEL AND IT IS POSSIBLE TO DETOUR BY GOING OVER THE BRIDGE TOWARDS THE SCHOOL,UP THE ROAD TURN LEFT THEN RIGHT AND THEN THERE ARE A SET OF STEPS DOWN BACK ONTO THE CANAL PATH IN SCHOOL STREET,WHY DONT YOU TAKE A WALK UP ANDY AND HAVE A LOOK AT AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTETO THE TUNNE, BECAUSE IT IS QUITE UNEVEN UNDERFOOT INSIDE THERE,CHEERS TREVOR

I have run to that tunnel on previous occassions and basically I would not try running through it. If you are tall 6'2" you will probably have to duck all the way (about 250 yards), also the path through is a bit slippy but more importantly you may twist an ankle going through it as it is uneven.
Have not looked a Trevor's detour above but walking through the tunnel may be quicker than an up and over detour.

Walk through the tunnel is my recommendation.

Chris.

Think of it this way, there is a tunnel a few miles away which can be waked through which is over 3400 yards long (2 miles). Be happy it is not that one....................

Dark side doesn’t even half describe it!

Hayhay, you heard me :-)

Hello stranger, this not your cup of tea then ;-)

Hayhay, you heard me :-)

Hello stranger, this not your cup of tea then ;-)

Err Na

oh dear.. thought i'd have a quick serious look at this..... it's down a bloody canal innit!

Mmmm

Opps - Gonna have to give this a miss now...

Good luck though Andy - All the best in organsing it :-)

Kaz,

I can tell from your photo you have done Himley haven't you...........a very familar water feature.......