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FUNDRAISING CHALLENGES ANNOUNCED TO SUPPORT NATION’S WATERWAYS IN 2014 Waterway enthusiasts, including walkers, runners and cyclists, can compete in two epic challenges in 2014, all in aid of raising money for the nation’s canals and rivers. The Canal & River Trust is hosting the events with the aim of raising thousands of pounds to improve local waterways. The two events: Grand Union Challenge (28 - 29 June, 2014): join hundreds of others on this multi-charity event as they walk, jog or run along the canal towpath from Little Venice in central London to Bletchley in Buckinghamshire. The inaugural canal challenge has three distance options - 25km, 50km or 100km - and a variety of start/finish points (similar to previous successful events the organisers have held on the Thames Path). Most will walk it at their own pace, quite a few will jog parts of it, and some will run the full 100 km ultra-marathon style Great British Bike Off (10-12 September, 2014): This unique three day ride, exclusive to Canal & River Trust, will see teams of cyclists journey from London to Leeds. The well-planned road route will also call at some famous waterway locations, and follow a section of a 2014 Tour De France stage (which this year begins in Yorkshire). This will be the third year of the increasingly popular Bike Off challenge, which in 2013 raised over £40,000 Ruth Ruderham, head of fundraising at the Trust said: “Our waterways are a national treasure, we want to improve them even more, and it is with this in mind that we are hosting these two challenges for 2014. Both events offer a great opportunity for you to experience the waterways in a completely different way, whether that’s journeying along the Grand Union Canal by foot, or taking in famous waterway landmarks as part of a peloton of cyclists travelling from London to Leeds. We want to see over 150 participants across both events, so if you’re looking to brush of the cobwebs and get in training this new year, they could be just the events for you. And even better, by taking part you’ll be raising money that will support important projects on local canals and rivers.” For more information about the Grand Union Challenge, including details about the routes and how to sign up, visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/grandunionchallenge To find out more about the Great British Bike-Off 2014 visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/the-great-british-bike-off