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As the last day approaches for runners to enter the Clifftop Challenge, race organisers are pacing ahead planning an event to remember.
Moved back from June because of Covid uncertainty, the Breast Cancer Now fundraiser will take place on September 11 and finishes with a party on Walmer green with live music.
The family-run challenge started in 2014 and usually sees about 400 runners take on a range of distances from five miles to 55 miles long.
Last year's couldn't take place as the pandemic raged on, and although there are fewer entries this year, founder Chantele Rashbrook is confident it will be well supported.
She said: "The previous six years’ events have raised over £130,000 for Breast Cancer Now and it is hoped that in 2021, with your help, we can push this figure even higher."
Not just a running event, the Clifftop Challenge has become a day out in its own right.
With starting points staggered across the coast and cliffs, the main focus is the finish line on Walmer Green where there is a festival of live music from 2pm. Spectators can arrive any time from noon to get the best seats.
Live music starts with Not the Shadows from 2-4pm, Your Shout 4-5pm and Memory Lane 5-7pm. Food and drink is available to buy from vendors including Lillyroos, doh doh pizza, Gin Sin and Jill Martin's award-winning knockers.
Tables are available for reservation at £10 per person for up to 10 people for those who don't want to bring their own tables and chairs and picnic blankets.
A raffle will be drawn and a hamper of booze is up for grabs. This includes a selection of wines, beers and spirits, and Mrs Rashbrook is grateful for more donations.
The last day for entries is tomorrow (Wednesday).
Mrs Rashbrook said: "This year there are fewer entries but people are still entering and they have until tomorrow to do that. We're expecting about 250-300 this year. We think the smaller numbers are because of a lack of confidence after Covid."
There are runs to suit all abilities, ranging from the 55 mile Ultra following a route from Hastings to Deal, to the five mile challenge, starting from Dover Patrol Memorial.
There is an Ultra relay, offering teams a chance to compete against each other, each team of five covers the 55 mile ultra route.
"The previous six years’ events have raised over £130,000 for Breast Cancer Now and it is hoped that in 2021, with your help, we can push this figure even higher..."
Other distances include 36 mile Ultra, Marathon, 15 miles and 10miles.
Mrs Rashbrook was the brains behind the whole concept which has become an important part of Deal's event calendar.
Already the founder of Rashbrook's Runners, a group of like-minded running enthusiasts, The Clifftop Challenge was devised by her after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012.
After a mastectomy, the condition returned in 2014. Now with secondary breast cancer, she also runs the BC Girls, a monthly support group for others with the condition and has campaigned for the continued use of the drug Kadcyla which keeps her alive.
Last August we reported how she had received her 100th treatment of the lifesaving drug, showing the importance of research and fundraising.
Every member of her family has helped make the Clifftop Challenge what it is today including her two children lily and Charlie, now grown up.
For more detail on the Clifftop Challenge click here.
To enter any of the runs email Phil Rashbrook at running@clifftopchallenge.com
To reserve tables and chairs or to donate to the raffle, email Mike Griggs or Mrs Rashbrook at info@clifftopchallenge.com
