The Viking Challenge 2008

The 14th Viking Challenge, Sunday 5th October event was officially the wettest and muddiest yet! But it was more of a wash down than a wash out –

as we still raised a staggering £21,000 for our school and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, each receiving £10,500.

Ground conditions were the most challenging we've had, as continuous rain the night before and throughout the morning meant cyclists were faced with excessive surface water, sticky clay and inches of mud to navigate through the Leicestershire countryside. But determined not-to-be beaten by the weather, spirits were high amongst the cyclists, 100 volunteers and supporters with many cyclists relishing the unique riding conditions.

The fastest cyclists were still able to finish within 2 1/2 hours (see results)

Details of Sponsorship Prize Winners:

Individual under 16 who raised most sponsorship:

Joseph McDaniels (age 9)

Prize: Wins mountain bike worth £250 courtesy of sShokwave Mountain Bikes (www.sshokwavebikes.co.uk)

Individual over 16 who raised most sponsorship

Ray Timms

Prize: A week mountain biking holiday in Scotland for 2 courtesy of Mountain Beach Mountain Biking (www.mountain-beach.co.uk)

Team who raised most sponsorship: Belvoir Boys

John Richardson, Melvin Keen and Cliff Gillis

Prize: Each team member wins a Mountain Hardwear Monkey Fleeces (www.mountainhardwear.com) plus the prestigious Viking Challenge Team Trophy.

The prizes and cheques were presented at Redmile CoE Primary School on Wednesday 25th March. The Grantham Journal was there to see the cheques presented to the school and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

And a big thank you to our 2008 corporate sponsors - Alliance & Leicester, Proici, Boots, sShokwave Mountain Beach and Mountain Hardwear.