Back in 2008 there were just 4 organised race events in the Eastern Region, what with Beastway being bulldozed to make way for the Olympics. So when Active Essex decided to set up a race series many thought they might just be crazy. If those many had sat in on some of the initial planning they might well have thought themselves justified.

What came out was a cohesive plan to change the MTB Cross country scene in the East beyond all recognition. Careful thought was given to what might be needed to do that and a set of objectives were mapped out, such as….

Given that East Anglia is now the leading Cross Country race region in the UK by a country mile we might be forgiven for the occasional smirk at the naysayers. However, we prefer to see it as its better to aim high and miss than to aim low and hit! Even better still to smash it out of the park and that is what we continue to aspire to do.