Libyan Challenge hit by troubles

Regular readers will recall that Audlem Tree Care proprietor, Joel Whittaker, was heading off to the desert this weekend to take part in the Libyan Challenge.

This was to be a gruelling 136-mile run through the Libyan desert. Joel was competing and raising funds for the CPRE, the Campaign to Preserve Rural England.

As all will know, events are moving fast in the Middle East and the Arab world: so much so that we have just received the following message from Joel who was en route:

“Hi web team, I arrived in Paris last night ready to catch a morning flight to Ghat, Libya and was informed the event has been cancelled due to the worsening political situation out there as you'll see from the email below.

Leave it with me a few days whilst I think about it and I'll drop you a line if you would be so kind as to highlight it again. Thank you for all your help so far, Joel”

This was the email that Joel received:

“Dear all,
It is with great regret and profound disappointment that we have to announce the cancellation of the 2011 edition of the Libyan Challenge.

The French Embassy and Foreign Office, who until earlier today were still optimistic as to the situation in the country, have now forcefully advised against the event. The situation on the ground in Ghat is fine but the police who were to secure the race course may at any moment be called away to the north of the country.

Also mobile communications are being scrambled by the government so, with no police and no communications, it is impossible to guarantee the safety of the runners and staff.

Jean-Marc and the race staff are now having to determine how to get back. We shall keep you posted of course.
Laurent Locke
Libyan Challenge UK representative”

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