Change of dates for the Dartmoor Classic

The organisers of next year’s Dartmoor Classic cycle marathon have brought the date forward by a fortnight, even though it means clashing with one of their biggest ‘rivals’.

The 16th edition of the Classic, the biggest not-for-profit ‘sportive’ in UK, had been planned for July 6/7 until it emerged that the event HQ at Newton Abbot Racecourse is due to hold a National Hunt meeting that weekend.

The new date of June 22/23 will pit the Classic in ‘opposition’ to the Dragon Ride in South Wales.

But Mike Gratton, chairmen of the organising Mid-Devon CC, explained: “The Racecourse is a great venue for us, and very popular, and we wanted to stay there if possible.

“We then had a choice between clashing with the Dragon Ride, which is another big event, or the Nello Ride at Exeter.

“Clashing with the Nello (June 30), who we’ve built up a good relationship with over the years, was never an option, so we’ll go ahead with our two-day event over July 6/7.

“It means clashing with the Dragon Ride, but we’re OK with that.”

Gratton added that his team is working on a range of innovative features to give the Classic a new ‘feel’ and attract a bigger field.

Details are expected to be announced soon.

The numbers entering both cycle and running marathons have fallen in recent years, but Gratton said: “Even with an entry of 2,000 this year, we still made a surplus, and we put on a successful event which everyone enjoyed.

“We’ve got some new blood on the committee, and we think we can come up with some new ideas to broaden the Classic’s appeal and make it even better.”

The Classic helps to generate thousands of pounds for the local economy each year, as well as raising huge amounts for various charities since it first started in 2007.