An annual award of £500 is being offered by Grasmere Sports Committee in memory of Pete Bland. The award is being provided to support up and coming fell runners with costs associated with their participation in the sport.
The bursary was created in honour of Pete Bland, the former Fell Race Manager of the annual August Bank Holiday weekend show, whose name was synonymous with fell racing and who sadly passed away during Covid times. Pete had a passion for helping young fell runners pursue their ambitions within the sport, so the Bursary, which comprises £500 to help a young person's sporting development, is most fitting.
The chosen recipient of the Pete Bland Bursary could be either a young male or female, but must be under 18 on the date of the annual Sports Day, and must be from Cumbria. It is all about developing young, local talent, who can do the county proud.
"We are looking for young and promising talent that is likely to be further inspired by this award and really put it to good use, to help fuel their development. We will want to see a long-term desire to be involved in athletics and a future goal that they would love to achieve one day. The aim is to make them a flag bearer for Cumbria within the future world of athletics." says the show's Chairman, John Hibbert.
The announcement of who has won the Pete Bland Bursary is anticipated to be made around the date of the annual Sports Day on 25th August 2024, by Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show.
Written applications are invited from fell runners aged 18 and under and living in Cumbria. Applications should be submitted by, the extended, closing date of 31st July 2024 to [email protected], these will be examined by a panel including representatives of both Grasmere Sports Committee and the Bland family.
