Runners prepare to kick up a storm in the sand

Thursday 12 March 2015

The race for adventure in St Ouen has got a whole lot bigger, tougher and longer this year.

Over 200 people are up for the 2015 Sandstorm challenge on Saturday afternoon, twice as many as last year, and will be sprinting up the sand dunes, swimming through water and jumping over obstacles.

The grueling 6km course through the Simon Sands Quarry has been designed by organisers Absolute Adventures to be as challenging as possible and the pressure is on to beat Tom Butel’s winning time last year of 23 minutes, 29 seconds.

Sandstorm Event Organiser Chester Mackley said: “The event course is 1km longer than last year so it will be tougher than ever before. Contestants will need to work on their stamina and co-ordination to make it through. Absolute Adventures are pleased to be offering such an exciting challenge on Island and we are very grateful to Qi Finance for sponsoring the event.”

Qi Group’s CEO Kiri Cavill said: “We are proud to be sponsoring the event for a second time and look forward to welcoming participants to the dunes this weekend. This is in an Island wide competition that brings together people of all ages and walks of life; the community spirit it fosters echoes our ethos at Qi Finance.

“We hope to raise as much funds as possible before the event and on the day for Jersey Hospice. This is a real spectators sport so we also encourage people to come down and enjoy the event and cheer on the brave participants!”

There are still places left if you fancy the challenge and you have until tomorrow to sign up. Late runners can register here. 

Entry into the race costs £35 if you are running on your own and £95 for a team of three and includes a £5 donation to Jersey Hospice.

Race registration is at the Simon Sands Quarry at 11am on Saturday and the race kicks off at 1pm.