Whole Earth
Man V Horse competition

Man v Horse

If you like running with friends, spa hotels, new kit and peanut butter, then this could be one of the best competitions you’ve come across. Seriously.

If 2015 was our year of working too hard and being cooped up in the office, then 2016 is our year of outdoor adventure. Sod the standard 10k road races (although we’ve got a few of those as well) this year we’re running our first ever ultra marathon across the South Downs, Em’s tackling her first triathlon, I’m training for a marathon in just seven weeks (not recommended) oh, and we’re racing a bunch of horses across the rugged Welsh countryside.

Yep, racing horses! The Whole Earth Man V Horse event is a 22-mile cross country run which, like all the best things, came about after a pub bet. The landlord and customers of the  Neuadd Arms Hotel were discussing who would be faster over the local terrain, a man (or woman) or a horse, and decided to set up a race to find out.

Since the annual event began in the tiny Welsh village of Llanwrtyd Wells in 1980, a human has only won twice. Hmm. This year we’re hoping it’s third time lucky. On 16 June 2016, we’re entering a relay team of three and we’re going to be chasing those horses down. Okay, highly unlikely we’re going to beat them but it sounds like brilliant fun. And you can join us too.

Ridiculously good competition prize

Race sponsor Whole Earth, purveyor of lovely, lovely peanut and nut butters, are holding a competition to find a female relay team (soz lads) and seriously, this prize is immense. Not only will the team of three friends receive entry to the race, they’ll also get:

Team training sessions with double Olympian runner Liz Yelling and her running coach husband Martin. (We’ve had a session with Martin before, he is awesome.)

A two-night stay in swanky spa hotel Lake Country House Hotel, named Good Hotel Guide Spa of The Year, complete with a post-race sports massage, bliss.

A personalised nutrition plan for each team member from nutrition consultant Charlotte Stirling-Reed.

Quality sports kit for training and the race itself.

And last but certainly not least, a year’s supply of protein-rich Whole Earth peanut butter, ideal for training. (Wonder how they’re working out a year’s supply, think our half a jar a day straight from the spoon habit may be a bit excessive.)

Now that, is a competition! Can’t wait to find out who wins as we’re going to be following their training. To enter,  complete the application form on the Whole Earth website. Good luck! 

ENTRIES CLOSE AT 11.59PM ON SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016.

This post was produced in conjunction with Whole Earth foods.

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