THE hardy of soul and fleet of foot will be Yomping through Eden this summer.

Walkers, runners and ramblers are invited to take part in the 21st Mallerstang Horseshoe and Nine Standards Yomp a three-part event including walks of 23, 11.5 and 6.5 miles.

Some meander round the full route in ten hours at a leisurely pace, others slip into their shorts and zip round the course the record is two hours 51 minutes.

The Half Yomp is a less demanding 11.5 mile walk which takes in Nine Standards Rigg while the 6.5 miles Short Yomp is favoured by primary school children and their families.

There will be trophies and medals for the fastest times along with certificates for everyone who finishes.

This year the Yomp has been brought forward a week to Sunday, June 1, to avoid clashing with the Appleby Horse Fair.

Funds raised at the Yomp will go to charities including Cerebral Palsy Cumbria, Childline Northwest and the local sports college appeal fund.

Last year the event, which is organised by the Rotary Club of Upper Eden, attracted more than 550 entries.

Yomp committee secretary Bill Watkin said previous entries had come from all over the UK and overseas and this year organisers were hoping to bring even more Yompers into the fold.

"It can be a challenging day's sport or an enjoyable quiet stroll in this beautiful part of Cumbria," he said.

For application forms and further information contact Kirkby Stephen Tourist Information Centre on 017683-71199.

April 15, 2003 16:30