City barrow race seeks entrants

ENTRIES are being invited for a series of wheelbarrow races along an Inverness city centre thoroughfare later this month.

The Wheelbarrow Grand Prix Challenge will take place along a 200m stretch on High Street to raise money for the Haven Appeal which aims to develop a pioneering centre for children and young adults with multiple and complex needs.

It is being organised by the Rotary Club of Inverness Culloden and will be held on Friday, July 20 starting at 6pm.

Teams of two will take part in junior, adult and senior races to decide an overall grand prix champion.

The event coincides with the start of the strong man competition at the city's Highland Games which will include a march featuring pipers and dancers along High Street to the Northern Meeting Park.

Race director Gavin Grant is urging businesses, shops and individuals to take up the challenge and anticipates a mixture of entrants from the serious athlete to the fun runner.

"Absolutely anybody can do it," he said. "We are hoping we can build up a bit of rivalry between similar businesses such as banks or opticians.

"It will be 200m down High Street towards Eastgate, around the engraved circle and back up again.

"It is not a difficult challenge but it could be quite interesting."

The entry fee is £10 per team and it is also hoped that participants will raise further sponsorship for the appeal. Anyone entering two or more teams can nominate their own chosen charity.

Prizes will be awarded for the overall fastest time, the most sponsorship money raised and the best fancy dress costumes.

The Haven Appeal, launched by the Elsie Normington Foundation and supported by the Inverness Courier to mark the newspaper's 200th anniversary, aims to raise £4 million to build the Haven Centre at a brownfield site in Murray Road, Smithton.

Mr Grant said the Rotary Club of Inverness Culloden had decided to give its backing to the appeal as the project was local to its area.

"It is a good thing to be supporting," he said.

The Haven Centre, which will be Scotland's first integrated centre for children and young adults with multiple and complex needs, will include respite care, a community cafe and garden, play centres and meeting rooms.

Anyone wanting to enter the wheelbarrow challenge should go to www.invernesswheelbarrowgrandprix.com