Gibraltar Rock Relay Run Returns
On the 21st October, an even bigger and better team will return to Gibraltar for this year's Rock Relay Run, which includes an exciting collaboration with a local charity!
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After the success of 2022’s inaugural Rock Relay Run, which raised over £4,000 for veterans’ charity Waterloo Uncovered, the team is back with an even bigger and better event, including twice as many participants.
In October 2023, a group of 20 runners will take on the gruelling challenge of a 12-hour relay run up and down the 1,398ft high Rock of Gibraltar, in aid of Waterloo Uncovered’s life-changing veteran support programmes. In addition to raising vital funds for veterans and serving personnel, the Rock Relay Run team will give back to the local community by spending the day before the run working in the Gibraltar Clubhouse, a local mental health charity hub that provides work-based programme where individuals with a history of mental illness can develop to their full potential.
The Rock Relay Run will coincide with Trafalgar Day (21st October), which commemorates the anniversary of the Royal Navy’s most famous triumph at the Battle of Trafalgar, 218 years ago. The team of 20 taking on the challenge will include local Gibraltarian business owners, and personnel from the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Army. The team also includes Gibraltarian long-distance runner, national marathon record holder and Commonwealth Games competitor Arnold Rogers, who serves in the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, and Commodore Tom Guy, who took up the post of Commander British Forces Gibraltar in 2022.
All money raised from this incredible challenge will help fund Waterloo Uncovered's unique veteran support programmes, which combine archaeology and military history with veteran care to support those who have served their country when they need it the most.
Mark Evans, CEO of Waterloo Uncovered, said: “Gibraltar’s connection with the British Armed Forces goes back 300 years, and the Rock is an iconic part of the experience of being stationed there – climbing it is a rite of passage. We can’t think of a better way for veterans to give back to other veterans than by climbing the rock to raise funds for our life-changing veteran support programmes which help veterans find recovery through discovery. We’re extremely grateful to the runners and to all the businesses and individuals who have stepped up to support the event.”
The Rock Relay Run team will be led by REME and Royal Signals veteran Ben Mead, who was previously stationed in Gibraltar and has completed tours of the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Ben first joined the Waterloo Uncovered team in 2018 as a participant on the charity’s flagship Excavation Programme, and has since worked his way up to become a valued staff member, serving as the charity’s Quartermaster for their annual excavations.
Ben says: “The first Rock Relay Run was a fantastic event, and this year is set to be even better! We have more runners, who come from all walks of life, and more plans to give back to the local community. All the runners, whether they are civilians or veterans themselves, are committed to raising funds to help veterans find peace from war. The support from the people and businesses of Gibraltar has been incredible so far, and we’re really excited to be heading back in just a few short months.”
The Waterloo Uncovered Gibraltar Rock Relay Run will start at the Pillars of Hercules and end at O’Hara’s Battery, with pairs running up and down in turn. The team will start the relay at 0600hrs and will continue the challenge for the next 12 hours for an estimated 1800hrs finish. Those who live locally are encouraged to visit the Rock to cheer on the team.
Funds will be raised on the Rock Relay Run JustGiving page. To learn more and support the challenge, click the button below!
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