AN athletic challenge for the New Year is in the offing in West Devon, when the first ever Ruby Run, a half marathon between Holsworthy and Hatherleigh, takes place.
The run is the brain child of the mayor of Hatherleigh, Cllr Dennis Bater.
Cllr Bater said: ?The distance between the two towns is exactly a half marathon and I?ve been told if it?s from Holsworthy to Hatherleigh, it should be a very fast race.?
Cllr Bater, who said he is sticking to organising the event, rather than running in it, said the name stems from the fact the two towns are both within the Red Ruby area, a new initiative to boost tourism.
Funds from the run, which provisionally has been set for the third Sunday in May, will be donated to Children?s Hospice South West.
Cllr Bater said: ?We?re hoping to get a celebrity to start the race and we?re looking for sponsors. If it?s on that Sunday, it will be exactly a month after the London Marathon.?
He said the race will be properly timed using qualified athletics officials and he hoped the event would attract a big crowd of serious runners, eager to set the record on the inaugural run.