Are you up for a royal challenge?

Wednesday 29 October 2014

It’s billed as one of the toughest events of the year and looks set to stop you sitting around like a couch potato when winter sets in - so are you up for the Great Jersey Potato Sack Carry Challenge?

The organiser of this year’s race hopes to get dozens of Islanders signed up to run up Grève de Lecq hill at the end of next month carrying a sack of spuds to raise money for two local charities.

Tim de Gruchy was one of around 50 people who ran the 500 physically exhausting uphill meters last year so knows exactly what a challenge it will be for all the competitors who can either run it alone, in pairs or in a group of four.

He said: “It was painful, I did it last year and did it in overalls and welly boots and got to the top and thought I’d better not look like I’m knackered but on the walk down I was very close to collapsing!

“It’s all meant to be a bit of a laugh and we want to get friends and family to come along and cheer people on.”

Last year’s event raised almost £700 for Jersey Cheshire Home who are set to benefit from the race again this year along with the Jersey Brain Tumour Charity.

Albert Bartlett will be providing all the spuds and some will be given out to the winners of each heat and the rest will be auctioned off for the two charities.

There are few rules involved in the race, but a ban on lycra is one of them!

Tim said: “I don’t look good in it so I’ve barred it but fancy dress would be great!”

The race gets underway at 10 am on Sunday 30 November. It costs £20 to enter and you have to be over 16.

You can find out more and enter your team here.