TrailMan – new event added to the 2012 Asics Off Road Series

A brand new addition to the series for 2012, the TrailMan sees the Asics Off Road Race Series descend upon Eridge Park near Royal Tunbridge Wells on Saturday 10th March

Eridge Park is not only steeped in history, being the largest open deer park in England and mentioned in the Domesday book, it’s also home to some challenging and varied terrain. This makes it the perfect place for a tough, off road Duathlon and Trail Run according to John Lunt, MD of event organisers Human Race. “It was a long selection process to find a location worthy of the Asics Off Road Series but we’ve definitely got it in Eridge Park. Georgina Rutherford and Mark Walsh from our Ops Team, both elite triathletes, have designed and tested the course and ‘test’ is definitely the right word. It’s tough, but still fast enough to encourage some great racing.”

The first leg of the Duathlon is a 6k run loop that begins with a fast downhill section out of transition before crossing the dam at Lake Serene and then heading deep into the ancient oak forest for some proper trail action. Following that (and a cheeky uphill drag), the course hits some sharp up ‘n’ downs (known as The Big Dipper for good reason!) as it traverses the valleys on the west side of the park back to the transition zone. After leg one, it’s onto the mountain bikes for 20k of trails, single track, firetrack, ups, downs, mud, roots and fun before rounding the iron-age fort on top of Saxonbury Hill and hitting a long, sweeping descent down towards transition. Make sure you save something for ‘The Wall’, a leg-sapping ramp back up to the start/finish area where you’ll dump the MTB and head out onto the run course for another 6k loop.

With the run and bike loop taking in completely separate areas of the park, competitors will see a wide range of terrain which you’ll share with deer, highland cattle and plenty of vocal support from humans too. For those that find riding a bike isn’t really their thing, TrailMan also includes a 6k or 13k Trail Run on the same day as the Duathlon. The 13k loop takes in both sections of Eridge Park and is a challenge in its own right.

TrailMan is the final event in the Asics Off Road Race Series which kicks off with the IceMan on the 19th of November, followed by MudMan on the 3rd of December, WildMan on the 21st of January and TuffMan on the 4th of February.

Click here for more information or to enter the Duathlon

Click here for more information, or to enter the Trail Run

The ASICS Off Road Race Series

For more information on the Asics Off Road Trail Running Series check out the official website at www.humanrace.co.uk/events/trail-running