Participants in the Sheffield Duathlon are gearing up to run, ride and raise money for Brain Research UK this weekend.
Organised by Urban Peaks in collaboration with Giant Sheffield, alongside other local partners, the duathlon will take place in the Peak District on Saturday 22 March.
Matt Wright, who founded Urban Peaks, an outdoor adventure company, has arranged for £10 of each entry fee to go directly to Brain Research UK.
This will contribute to his longer-term target of raising £1 million for the charity by the end of this year, together with other runners taking part in the London Marathon.
Mr Wright discovered his love of running during the Covid-19 pandemic when he turned to the sport as a way of escaping his isolation.
He said: “Runners generally run for more than ‘I just like to run’.”
The charity is of personal significance to Mr Wright, whose dad, Alan Wright, sadly died aged 66 from an unforgiving brain tumour seven years ago.
He said: “Your parents might drive you nuts at times, cherish them always as they won’t be here forever.”
Brain Research UK is the leading national funder of research into neurological conditions.
One person who was supported by the charity when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2022, said: “The work of Brain Research UK and the practitioners in the various specialist neurological hubs around the UK is amazing and saves lives on a daily basis.”
The city’s duathlon, which has been fully mapped and approved by the council, will consist of a 10-kilometre trail run, a 40-kilometre road cycle, followed by a 5-kilometre run.
Alternatively, participants can choose a shorter sprint option of a 5-kilometre trail run, a 10-kilometre road cycle and a 2-and-a-half-kilometre finish.
The event will end at the Norfolk Arms with sports therapists and food outlets present.
Giant Sheffield is also providing bikes for the event so to improve accessibility and encourage participation.
Andy Liversidge, Sheffield Giant store manager, said: “It’s been an exciting project to work on, and anything involving getting outdoors and moving more, we support wholeheartedly!”
With a capacity of 250 people, there are still spaces available to take part in support of Brain Research UK.
Anyone interested can sign up here.
