Lovers of the outdoors are in for a treat this week as tickets go on sale for three of the headline events in The Outdoor City Weekender 11-13 March.

Through its status as The Outdoor City, Sheffield is growing its reputation as the UK’s leading destination for people seeking outdoor adventure, city culture and rural escapes and we’re in the mood to celebrate the people and places that make it so.

Whether you walk, run, climb, ride, love family time in the great outdoors or are a self-confessed spectator rather than participator of outdoor activities; there is something for everyone in Sheffield’s Weekender line-up.

Headline events include the Magnificent Seven; the first of its kind in the UK, this cycle event (part sportive, and part hill climb race) will see cyclists do battle with Sheffield’s notorious seven hills! The Climbing Works International Film Festival, sponsored by Rab is celebrating its tenth year and promises non-stop fun and action for participators and spectators alike visiting Sheffield that weekend. And as if that wasn’t enough, Sheffield’s annual adventure film festival ShAFF will be bringing the wild outdoors into the city for three days of jaw dropping spectacle and heart stopping adventure.

Cllr Leigh Bramall, Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Business, Skills, Development and Tourism said: “On any given weekend in Sheffield people explore and connect with each other in the outdoors and this is one of the big reasons people are attracted to the city and stay in the city. The Weekender is about pulling our outdoor events together and celebrating the people, places and activities that make us The Outdoor City.

“By promoting these events as one ‘festival of the outdoors’ we can showcase the very best of Sheffield to visitors.

“As well as having a weekend offer for visitors our ambition is that people who live in Sheffield and might ride bikes around Grenoside Woods for example, will get to know about and try out bouldering for the first time. Or that people who like watching films in the Showroom, might think about taking a guided walk in the Peaks.

“For people who haven’t been to Sheffield for a while, or who have never been, we hope that this line-up encourages them to plan a trip here in March to get the full outdoor city experience.”

Visit Sheffield between 11 and 13 March for adventure films, international climbing championships, ranger led Peak District walking tours, arguably England’s best mountain bike trails, the first ever UK seven-hill cycling challenge of its kind and much more.

The Outdoor City Weekender line-up 11-13 March 2016

• Magnificent Seven – 13 March: This is not for the fainthearted; a cross between a sportive, and a hill climb race, 60 hardened cyclists will face seven of the toughest hills in Sheffield with climbs ranging from 9 to 23 per cent. The route which is 18.9 miles, presents each rider with 1,998ft of climbing and is the first of its kind in the UK. Taking in the dizzy heights of Sheffield, cyclists will ride with escorts between hills, where they will gather together at the bottom before racing to the climbs summit.Stamina, endurance, a love of hills and cycling are essential attributes for Magnificent Seven competitors. Could you face Sheffield’s Magnificent Seven challenge? Tickets to go on sale this week through British Cycling.
• Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF ) 11-13 March: Sheffield’s annual adventure film festival, now in its 11th year, returns to the Showroom Cinema for the Weekender, bringing the wild outdoors into the heart of the city for three days of jaw dropping spectacle and heart stopping adventure.
• The Rab Climbing Works International Festival (CWIF) 12-13 March: Over two days The Climbing Works International Festival (CWIF) sponsored by Rab, gives amateur and professional climbers the opportunity to compete side by side. This year the UK’s largest international bouldering competition celebrates its tenth anniversary, with the promise of an action packed final that spectators can watch live at the venue or online
• South Yorkshire Schools Orienteering 12 March: a must attend for those orienteering newbies and the more experienced among you; this event is for everyone. Come and play in the outdoors with friends and family.
• The Grindleford Gallop 12 March: A 21 mile race with a 3000ft ascent between the villages of Grindleford, Froggatt, Eyam, Great Longstone, Edensor and Baslow.  A stone’s throw from Sheffield, this White Peak run is as spectacular for spectators as it is for the runners taking part.  (spectators only – race sold out)
• Edale Skyline Fell Race 13 March: A classic fell race covering 21 miles of some of the most stunning countryside the UK has to offer.
• North Lees through Stone and Symbols 12 March: a ranger guided walk along and below the stunning Stanage Edge. A breath-taking four-hour tour full of historical insight into the ‘stone edge’. Whilst this beauty spot on the outskirts of Sheffield is most commonly known amongst climbers, this walk promises to introduce you to a totally different Stanage.
• One day Mountain Bike course brought to you by ALine Coaching 12 March: This is for strong intermediate to advanced mountain bikers. It’s all about learning how to use the trail to maximise your speed, accelerate out of corners and improve your jump!  Taking in the best of Sheffield’s mountain bike trails (including Steve Peat’s playground, Grenoside Woods).
• The Dark and Dirty Night Race 12 March: A Steel Force gruelling 5k or 10k obstacle course race set through the hills and spills of Graves Park. Featuring natural and man-made obstacles, you will ruin, ride, climb, crawl and wade your way through this race.
• Adventure Run with Accelerate 13 March: If you’re a runner in Sheffield this weekend then it would be a shame to miss this popular, 11 mile off-road, social, Sheffield run. Meeting at 10am at Pudding Lady Day café Rivelin Park, Sheffield, then taking the route from Rivelin Valley, over Stanage and onto Ladybower.  Followed by a bus back to Rivelin Park. Bring trail shoes, waterproof jacket, spare warm clothes, drink and food and money for the pub and bus!

Already known internationally as the climbing capital of the UK, Sheffield is also home to an impressive community of bikers, walkers and runners. The city’s natural topography, the variety of outdoor activity and proximity of the outdoor experience to inner–city life are all part of The Outdoor City story.

Matt Heason, ShAFF Festival Director says: “The Sheffield Adventure Film Festival is privileged to be at the very heart of the Outdoor City Weekender. We are incredibly excited to act as the hub for everyone taking part in the weekend’s activities, so whether you’re climbing at the CWIF or scaling the hills of the Magnificent Seven challenge, ShAFF welcomes you to kick back with a pint and a film to watch the best outdoor films from around the world. “

Visit www.theoutdoorcity.co.uk to learn more about the most stunning views, world class climbs, tracks and trails that Sheffield can offer. Written and produced by Sheffield walkers, runners, climbers, cyclists and mountain bikers this website captures the very latest goings-on from those who love the outdoors for those who love the outdoors.

Packed full of trails, routes, guide information, signposts to travel and hospitality information plus recommendations from people in-the-know, The Outdoor City website is for the enjoyment of anyone planning a city break with a twist, indulging a passion for the outdoors or even taking their first steps into the adventure playground on their doorstep.

The Outdoor City Weekend on 11-13 March is hoped to be the first in a series of Weekender events with talks to create more in 2016 already underway.  The events are designed to make it easier for people planning short visits to Sheffield to get the full outdoor city experience, as well as to inspire and motivate people locally to play in Sheffield; The Outdoor City.

INFO: The Outdoor City