Running the Gauntlet – RAF Spadeadam Half Marathon
Spadeadam half marathon
22nd of September
The Ministry of Defence does not generally open up one of its bases to the general public.
Chances are that if you turned up uninvited to RAF Spadeadam under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t be long before you were given your marching orders. But that’s what makes the Spadeadam Half marathon such a unique event.
The gates of Spadeadam are thrown open and entrants can dash along the trails and pathways of the largest RAF base in the country.
The course offers stunning views along its length, winding its way around and through Spadeadam Forest with views over to the Lake District, Carlisle, the Pennines and Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall. Adding to the charm are numerous cold war relics, practise targets and tanks along the route, it’s a run like no other.
Trail Outlaws have joined forces with RAF Spadeadam and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund to bring you this fantastic opportunity, explained organiser Tim Bateson: “An event has been on site for quite a few years now but it was called the Border Reivers half marathon. Last year trail outlaws were invited to take over and host the event.
We raised £1450 for the Royal Air Force Centenary Fund last year and because this event is very much about the RAF and Spadeadam we are raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund this year.”
The RAF Benevolent Fund has been supporting the RAF family since 1919. They are an independent charity that provides a spectrum of services that range from the Airplay programme which supports children growing up on RAF stations, to relationship counselling for RAF couples and respite breaks for RAF families and veterans.
“With a history harking back to the cold war, RAF Spadeadam is a really interesting place.” explained Tim, “With rockets, controlled explosions, electronic defence and training for RAF planes, it’s a bit like something out of a spy novel. The course is completely within the boundary of RAF base and we have utilised as many of the unusual military installations and hardware along the course.
RAF Spadeadam is currently the home of the 9,000 Acre Electronic Warfare Tactics Range. But the base was used as the Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Test Centre for the Blue Streak missile project. The Spadeadam area was remote and largely uninhabited and was known as Spadeadam Waste in 1955 when the Missile Test Centre was built.
The RAF took it over in 1976 and it became Europe’s first Electronic Warfare Tactics Range. The range contains ground-based electronics warfare equipment to act as a simulated threat to airborne training aircrews. Some of the equipment was manufactured in the Soviet Union and the RAF also have real and dummy targets such as airfields, portable buildings, tanks, aircraft and vehicle convoys onsite. These cold war relics are dotted right across the course and they are a real highlight of the run.
“It’s been interesting for us,” said Tim. “Because we are working with a civilian administration team, we have to get the necessary permissions and permits to hold the event and, as you can imagine, with it being a military base, that was an eye-opener for us.
But it’s a run that offers a unique opportunity to visit an area that is normally out of bounds to the general public. The course is fully marked and marshalled to help you on your way and our ethos is friendly and inclusive. It’s not all about the fastest runners, we’re here to have fun too.”
Better be quick, tickets are still available to run the gauntlet in this historic base.
For more information visit www.run-spadeadam.co.uk or www.trailoutlaws.com
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