Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge

[http://www.mac4x4.co.uk The Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge] is an annual navigational challenge event. It is open to any road legal 4x4 vehicle in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. The event has been run since 2002 over one weekend in March each year and consists of a series of on road treasure hunts interspersed with off road challenges. The event covers up to 1,000 miles and raises up to in excess of £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support each year.

The event has been supported by a number of celebrities including Julia Bradbury, Charlie Dimmock, Lynn Bowles, and [http://www.sunitashroff.com Sunita Shroff]

No special vehicle modifications are required to enter, any sensibly equipped 4x4 should be able to complete the event.

The event is known for the competitors contagious spirit and camaraderie, and although it is a seriously competitive event with trophies for good navigation the main purpose of the Mac 4x4 is to raise money for Macmillan Cancer support, which it achieves to the sum of approximately £100,000 each year. Each team has a minimum sponsorship to raise all of which goes to Macmillan. All event costs are covered out of the entry fee except fuel which competitors pay for as they go.

Competitors only know where they are starting from, the route being kept top secret till roadbooks are handed out along the way. It generally ends in Cheshire where there is a prize giving dinner and accommodation for the night at a well-appointed hotel.

Background

In May 2000 a group of enthusiasts saw a gap in the 4x4 events programme and decided to introduce a new event to mark the Millennium. The objective being to provide an interesting 'Challenge' for 4x4 owners/addicts/enthusiasts over a weekend ‘somewhere’ in the UK, whilst supporting a worthy charity.

"The Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge" was 'born'. After two false starts, in November 2000 because of a petrol blockade and March 2001 due to Foot and Mouth. The inaugral run of the event eventually took place with only 8 teams in March 2002 and £8,000 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The event has grown year on year. In 2007 60 teams started (The maximum number that the organisers felt the event could maintain), and raised £110,000

2008 Event

The 2008 event was run over the weekend of 7th to 9th March

Entries opened immediately after the 2007 event, and promptly closed just 9 days later with all 60 places filled. The reserve list filled up shortly afterwards.

The 2008 event covered approximately 800 miles and covered 5 countries - England, Wales, Southern and Northern Ireland and Scotland. Monies raised were declared at £75,000 at the end of the event, which has already risen to in excess of £100,000, with a final total expected soon.

2009 Event

The applications for 2009 opened on the evening of 15th April 2008 and all 60 places had been taken by the post delivered on Saturday 19th April! Another Mac record. Six more teams whose applications were posted before the weekend have also been admitted but there is now a waiting list.

Publicity for the event received a boost in August 2008 when TV presenter Julia Bradbury agreed to be the celebrity driver for the March 2009 run.

External links

Official web site - [http://www.mac4x4.co.uk The Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge]

Event Forum - [http://www.mac4x4forum.co.uk The Mac 4x4 Challenge Forum]

Macmillan web site - [http://www.macmillan.org.uk Macmillan Cancer Support]

Competitors sites -
* [http://www.macmillan4x4.co.uk/ Team Mud]
* [http://www.mac4x4challenge.co.uk/ Team Th13teen (tpb4x4)]
* [http://www.lostagain.me.uk/ Team Lost Again]
* [http://www.extremetj.co.uk/ Team TJ]
* [http://www.lepaj.co.uk/ Team Pajero UK/Team LePaj]
* [http://www.team.pajuk.co.uk/ Team PajUK]
* [http://www.teamfrontera.co.uk/ Team Frontera]
* [http://www.justgiving.com/snafu/ Team snafu 19]