London Marathon Goes Off Road
LME revisits its trail-running roots with Maverick Race...
London Marathon Events (LME), the world-leading organisers of mass participation events, is going into partnership with Maverick Race, the innovative organisers of trail running events.
Maverick Race are well-established organisers of day and night-time trail events, offering multiple routes from 5K to 100K ultramarathons for runners of all abilities. More than 14,000 signed up for Maverick’s trail events in 2023. There are some 20 events planned for 2024 in the UK and Maverick also hosts international trail running camps in spectacular destinations such as Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France; Lake Bohinj, Slovenia and Toubkal, Morocco.
Directors Ben MacWilliam and Justin Bufton co-founded Maverick in 2013 after many years working in outdoor sports. The company is based in Poole, Dorset, with a staff of five. Take a look at Maverick's promotional video to get a feel for the great outdoors...
MacWilliam said: “We work to reconnect people with the outdoors and to be at one with nature and always emphasise bringing the ‘fun’ to trail. This hugely exciting opportunity to work with LME will help us grow Maverick Race and trail to the next level.”
Bufton said: “We share LME’s passion for inspiring activity and LME’s extensive work in diversity and inclusion aligns with our vision of taking trail running to new audiences, getting more people outdoors to celebrate the beauty of the countryside and introducing new people to our sport.”
Hugh Brasher, Event Director at London Marathon Events, said: “Trail running is a wonderful sport that was enjoyed by LME’s co-founders Chris Brasher and John Disley, who also founded the British Orienteering Federation. There is something special about running off-road and through woodland which really lifts your spirits; there’s nothing better than being outside in nature.
"Over the past decade, Ben and Justin have done an amazing job growing the sport and have developed an exciting calendar of events in stunning locations. We look forward to working together to introduce trail running to more people across the UK.”
Maverick’s 2024 event calendar begins on 20 January with Maverick Adidas Terrex Original New Forest 2024 (sold out) and event highlights include the Exmoor Coast on 4 May; the Peak District, Derbyshire on 1 June; Ambleside in the Lake District on 14 September; the Jurassic Coast 100K Ultra on 19 October and the incredible Dark Castle from Corfe in Dorset on 16 November.
Visit the Maverick Race website to discover what their slogan 'The Outdoors Awaits' means.
Photo courtesy Maverick Race on Facebook