Running for the climate: The relay aiming to protect our world for future generations
The Running Out of Time relay will cover 1,656 miles from Ben Nevis to Big Ben
The organisers of a climate relay are calling on people to “work together to protect our world now and for future generations”.
Taking place between June 10 and July 11, the Running Out of Time Relay takes in 1,656 miles (2,661km) between Ben Nevis and Big Ben.
The event, described as ‘Britain’s biggest sporting celebration of climate action and nature,’ consists of 366 stages, with participants encouraged to run, cycle, walk or wheelchair race.
Running out of Time co-founder Dan Thompson said the relay aims to “change the narrative to celebrate and highlight the sterling work already being carried on around the UK”.
Rebecca Leek, who will be running Stage 218 of the event in Northampton on Wednesday (June 18), said: “It’s called the Running Out of Time relay because we are literally running out of time in terms of climate.
“Our carbon budget is very, very small. We don’t have much leeway anymore.
“As a country, we are missing targets over and over again.”
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The event’s website says it is “calling on everyone – from national government to local government, from individuals to communities, from schools to businesses – to work together to protect our world now and for future generations”
Organised by The World Relay Limited, the relay passes through 50 cities and towns, and a range of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, historic landmarks and stunning natural sites.
Aimed at showcasing the many people, places and organisations already dedicated to sustainability and preserving the environment, the event will finish in London on July 11 with a closing ceremony in Parliament Square after visiting the Olympic Park and the Royal Docks.
The Running Out of Time relay also saw thousands of school pupils across the UK sign up for the Let’s Go Zero National Schools Action Day on Wednesday, June 21, to celebrate the incredible work taking place to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
Rebecca will be running from Sixfields Stadium in Northampton at 2.15pm on Wednesday, finishing at Great Brington Post Office.
The run is 5.7 miles (9.3km) long, with the baton due to passed on at 3.20pm.
She told the Running Tales Podcast: “The event is a real adventure. I’ve got three children, I work, I’ve booked the day off. I’ve got to get the train as I will not drive if I can avoid it.
“When I get there I will need to run to the start, run the leg, run back again to get the train and hopefully get back home in enough time to see the children and do dinner.”
Running out of Time’s Dan Thompson said: “There’s a lot of negativity and fear around climate change, but what we wanted to do was to change the narrative to celebrate and highlight the sterling work already being carried on around the UK to inspire others that it is worthwhile trying to change the status quo and take action.
“The relay will use the power of sport to literally connect the many incredible projects taking place with an unbroken chain of participants.”
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