‘Run sail, smile…repeat’ is the tagline of the Three Creeks Race which is returning for its fifth year.
In celebration of its fifth anniversary, the race will be starting with a new challenge-a tender which means tiny boat, rowing race across the Dart before runners take on the first seven mile coastal run with almost 700m of climbing.
After this, pairs of runners board their vessels to set sail for Salcombe, navigating the sand bar before run number two.
The race has grown in popularity with three boats in the first year to 14 last year and an ambition of twenty teams this year. A small boat class has been added to open up the field to a wider audience.
Run by the Yealm Yacht Club, the race on Saturday, May 12, will be kindly supported by Marchand Petit and the Yealm Hotel.
For the final leg of the journey, sailors will race from Salcombe, round the Eddystone Lighthouse and into the Yealm, before dropping runners off for the final homeward bound to the Yealm Yacht Club finish line.
Lucinda Brook, one of the race organisers said: “When we started this race five years ago, I don’t think we dreamed we’d still be running it today.
“It’s thanks to the support from the Yealm Yacht Club, who adopted the race two years ago, and the local sponsorship of estate agent, Marchand Petit and new this year, the Yealm Hotel, that makes it possible.
“We’re excited to have added lots of new elements this year to keep things entertaining, as well as a special ‘All rounder’ prize for the fastest team where every member of the squad completes at least one running leg.”
The self-martialled race format is loosely based on the Scottish Islands Peaks Race with teams of up to five members, while at least two runners must complete each leg.
The race is aimed at competent runners and sailors with competitors required to navigate themselves around the course, although the runs are on marked paths, mostly coastal footpath.