The ‘Grit and Gravel’ Sheffield Duathlon returned for its second year last Saturday 25 April.
After a successful first year, the “unique off-road adventure” continued the collaboration between Urban Peaks and Giant Sheffield.
The event consisted of a 10 kilometre trail run, followed by a 20 kilometre mountain bike through the Peak District, finishing with another five kilometre trail run.
Mr Matt Wright, owner of Urban Peaks, said: “What we’re about is trying to incorporate enjoyment for the community [with] something worthwhile for a charitable cause.”
The Duathlon, starting at the Peacock at Owler Bar, was entry-level, ideal for both first timers and seasoned athletes, with no cut-off time.
All money raised within the sports village will go to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, to support their facilities and treatments for families across the city.
Andy Liversidge, manager of Giant Sheffield, curated the mountain/gravel bike challenge with his “valuable experience in the industry”.
Their joint ambition is to “grow the event every year, learning lessons as [they] go and enhancing the experience and thrill for participants.”
Mr Wright set up Urban Peaks a few years ago, following his passion for running. It’s a community-based run club and fitness organisation that is ‘encouraging people to get up off their sofas’.
His core mission is to create ‘an inclusive gateway into the Peak District’ for those seeking adventure or a personal challenge.
He added: “A lot of people have passions from the pandemic: baking, cooking, playing guitar.
“Mine, for whatever reason, was just running. It’s therapy to me, and it’s helped a lot with the grieving process, which never ends.”
Mr Wright said the sudden loss of his father Alan Wright, an NHS dentist who suffered from a rare glioblastoma at 66 years old, was the ‘fire in [his] belly’ to set up the business and ‘do something meaningful’.
He previously raised over a million pounds for Brain Research UK running the London Marathon.
That effort is now being transferred to a local hospital charity, both through the Duathlon, but also by running the Milan Marathon earlier this month.
Mr Wright said: “It’s been a busy, busy winter – training, organising this event, keeping a day job down, two kids, dog, wife, but we’ve got there.
“We are blessed to have the Peak District on our doorstep and we love to promote it in a safe, caring and inclusive fashion for all to enjoy.”
