The 44-mile trail run has been held annually since 2007 in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care and in 2011 attracted a record number of 310 runners from across the country, raising more than £8,000 for the charity.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday 23 June, starting at Lizard Point and taking in 44-miles of challenging, rugged coastal path to finish at Land’s End.
The 2012 Classic Quarter has been selected as an official qualifying event in the 2012 UK Ultra Running Championships for the first time, meaning that there will be 30 to 40 additional runners taking part and contesting for points, hoping to be crowned the UK champ at the end of the season.
The Classic Quarter will also be a part of the inaugural Ultra Trail South West (UTSW), which will give runners the option of continuing on past Land’s End to run either 60 or 100 miles of the Cornish coast.
Gary Jolliffe, from Classic Quarter organisers Endurancelife said: “We are really proud of the way the event has developed over the years and are expecting about 400 people to be involved across the various categories this year.
“The Classic Quarter is a formidable challenge by any standards, but each year more and more people are keen to discover if they have what it takes to get to the finish line. Of course by committing to the challenge, putting in some good training and adopting a never give up mentality, they absolutely can, and the effects of succeeding can be really amazing.
“In addition to the Classic Quarter this year we are introducing the Ultra Trail South West which will develop into an event of international importance. This is a phenomenal challenge on the terrain of the South West Coast Path but again, the event is close to being sold out, as more and more people seek the simple pleasures in life and the satisfaction derived from trail running in spectacular places.”
The Classic Quarter was originally the brainchild of Simon Tregoning, Chairman of Classic Cottages, who set out with the aim of creating an extreme physical challenge while raising money for Cornwall Hospice Care.
Simon said: “When I first came up with the idea for the Classic Quarter, while out running on the Lizard, I thought there may be a few other people brave enough to join me, so I was amazed when 60 runners turned up for the first event. Last year more than 300 people took part, and I couldn’t be happier with how the event has grown, especially as it has meant so much money being raised for Cornwall Hospice Care, a charity very close to my heart.”
Registration for the Classic Quarter is now open, and runners can sign up to take part on their own or as a part of relay teams of two or four people. Fundraising for Cornwall Hospice Care is optional, but there is a 50 per cent discount on the entry fee for runners who pledge to raise a minimum of £200 for charity.
For full details of the event and registration fees, please visit www.classicquarter.co.uk.
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