Guinness World record holder brings running, cycling and kayaking challenge to Penllyn Estate
AN Antarctic adventurer is sharing the thrills of a sporting challenge by launching an action-racing event for all the family in Cowbridge.
Maria Leijerstam is known for holding The Guinness World Record for cycling to the South Pole from the edge of the Antarctic continent. She completed the challenge in December 2013 in 10 days, 14 hours, and 56 minutes.
She founded the Burn Series Adventure Races in 2010 first holding the Cardiff Burn, then expanding her races to Gloucester, Swansea. Now she returns to her home town of Cowbridge with the Mini Burn.
On April 30, families and friends will be able to run, cycle, kayak and navigate their way through the countryside around Penllyn Estate.
Maria has represented Great Britain in the World Series Adventure Racing Circuit for 13 years. The event includes running, cycling and kayaking all day and night for six days, covering up to 800km cross country.
“It’s an incredible sport and very few people get to experience it, so I thought how can I make it really local and doable, to give people that same feeling of adventure but in a much more achievable way?
“I just wanted to provide something that families and even young children could be a part of.”
The Mini Burn at Penllyn Estate consists of a 2.8km run, 8km mountain bike, 1km kayak and 1km foot navigation phase. Participants do not need any experience.
“People will be competing in teams with their family, so they have got support all the way through,” said Maria, 43.
“There are no rules about carrying, pushing, or dragging, or whatever you need to do to get your whole family over the finish line. It’s totally achievable for anyone – we make it enjoyable and ensure that everyone finishes in some way, shape or form.”
Kayak and safety equipment will be provided, participants need to bring their own bikes. Food is available at Forage Farm Shop and Café.
“We are really excited to welcome the Mini Burn Series to Penllyn Estate Farm on April 30 as the Covid restrictions begin to ease,” said Katherine Homfray, marketing director at Forage Farm.
“We see this event as having a really positive impact on the area, bringing people together to exercise, enjoy the outdoors and then celebrate their achievements.”
- The Mini Burn event will be at Penllyn Estate, Llynhelig, Cowbridge CF71 7FF, Vale of Glamorgan on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
- The event starts from 10.00am until midday and the awards will take place at 3.00pm.
- Early bird tickets are £15 per junior and £35 per adult until January 31, 2022. Standard tickets are £25 per junior and £45 per adult.
For more information, visit https://burnseries.co.uk
