Wales’ unique version of the infamous Olympic torch relay, the Great Welsh Leek relay will start later this month on the 29th September 2010.
The ‘Olympic’ Leek will be run, cycled and swam the length of Wales to open the first ever alternative food festival – FEASTIVAL, taking place in Bridgend town centre on 1st and 2nd October. Three top athletes from Bridgend will be starting the epic three day relay in a field in Flintshire, North Wales.
The leek will be plucked from the ground and then transported 230 miles on a route through some of Wales’ spectacular countryside.
As well as the grand arrival in Bridgend to open the food festival, the journey of the leek will be highlighting the issue of food miles whilst raising money for Children in Need.
Steve Brace, double Olympian, Alan Kerr, former world triathlon Gold medallist, and Jon Embling with 47 Marathons under his belt have agreed to take on the challenge and carry the leek by hand and bike across land and water.
“We’re expecting to take three days to complete this challenge before we arrive home in Bridgend but we’re all really looking forward to it” said former Olympian and British champion Steve Brace “It’s a bit of a unique event for us and hopefully others will join us en route or turn out to cheer us on”
Richard Arnold from Really Welsh Trading Company said “For decades Welsh shops were full of leeks grown anywhere but Wales. In 2005 we stated to put that right, developing a farm in North Wales that now produces up to 85 tons of Really Welsh leeks a week from July to May, and we think that by running some of our National Vegetables the length of the land, while raising some money for a great cause like 4 year old Finlay Brunt from Bridgend who is in desperate need of a life changing operation is a great way to celebrate Welsh Nation Leek week which runs from 1st to 7th October each year”.
Feastival, Wales’ alternative food festival will open on the 1st October with the arrival of the leek. This will mark the start of a new two day event in the Welsh food calendar that promises to be a little bit different to the norm. some of the most unique features include egg dropping, leek lobbing, melon sculpting and an unusual food art centrepiece in the from of a giant 10ft cauliflower sheep. As well as the traditional food hall and market stalls, there will be cookery demos, an urban allotment, food cinema and the grub-hub tent designed just for little foodies.
To follow the route of the leek relay visit the blog via www.walesalternativefoodfestival.com and follow them on twitter @ www.twitter.com/followtheleek
