Archive for May, 2010
 
One of the UK’s most unique sporting events, the Lichfield Cathedral Dash, has been confirmed for Saturday 17th July 2010 and this year it has a new sponsor – Techstep, the UK’s first ‘foot clinic’ owned by the UK’s oldest family-owned firm, Birmingham’s Salts Healthcare.
Take a look at: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2010/05/28/madcap-dash-at-lichfield-cathedral/ for a light-hearted insight into the Dash.
The Lichfield Cathedral Dash started in 1998.  Inspired by the sprint around The Quadrangle at Trinity College, Cambridge which featured in the Oscar-winning film Chariots Of Fire, the Dash is a 430 metre sprint around the Cathedral Close within the 58 seconds it takes for the noon bells to chime.  It is a challenge of speed and ability, and of those who have taken part less than 50 have actually achieved a sub-58 second time.
The Dash, held at 12noon, is the culmination of a morning of sporting activity around the Cathedral.  Each year there is a multitude of sporting events and in the last thirteen years there has been tennis clinics, high jump demonstrations and in more recent times junior races, cycling and wheelchair racing, and the 2010 event won’t disappoint.
The UK’s most unique sprint will this year be supported by another unique firm Salts Techstep.  Techstep is a division of Birmingham-based Salt’s Healthcare, which dates back to 1701.  Salts design and manufacture orthortic products and the ‘Techstep Education & Research Centre’ – is the UK’s first ‘foot clinic’, purpose built ‘solely’ for the understanding, development and support of the human foot.   Visited  by premiership footballers, top-class cricketers and Olympic athletes the £1/2million central Birmingham facility boasts state-of-the-art sensory treadmills, running strip with the latest movement monitoring software as used at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, teaching facilities and R&D offices. All managed by a team of specialists to advance the knowledge of podiatrists and orthotists. 
Another first for this year’s event is the Lichfield Chamber Of Commerce is ‘Business Baton’ Relay.  Local firms will have their own relay race to help raise money for local charities.  It costs £40 for team of four to enter with all proceeds to charity.
Other races and events on Saturday 17th July include 100m sprint races for 8-15 year olds, junior 400m dash and a cycling sprint. The events are open to anyone wanting to test their ability and those interested can find out more by visiting www.kpevents.net or simply turning up on the day.
The beneficiary of all proceeds, as per previous years, will be St Giles Hospice in Whittington, near Lichfield.
Kevin Wilson, Founder of The Dash and a Director of organisers KP Events said “Sometimes is hard to believe that the Dash is in its thirteenth year.  But its longevity is due to it being a one of a kind and I’m delighted that Salts Techstep is sponsoring the 2010 event.  The 2010 Dash the best it has ever been, an event Lichfield can be proud of and will help put this Cathedral City on the map.”
Adrian Priest, Senior Product Manager at Salts Techstep said “We are delighted to be supporting this truly unique event.  At Techstep we speak to many sportsmen and women who use the latest technology, research and guidance to fine-tune their bodies but it was the ‘Corinthian Spirit’ of the event that caught our imagination.  We wish everybody taking part the best of luck and hope the whole of Lichfield supports all the competitors.”
For more information of the Lichfield Cathedral Dash visit www.kpevents.net.
Miss Black Country Andrea Sturney celebrates the launch of the new Thunderball game at the Mander Centre, Wolverhampton.  
The game makeover includes an increased top prize of £500,000, an extra draw date, extended number range but still the same ticket price of £1. As well as Wednesday and Saturday nights, Thunderball will also add Friday to its draw days – giving players three opportunities to play in any week.  
 
