A PERTHSHIRE man has organised the world’s longest relay race, which will take in 11,000 kilometres and eight time zones across Russia.

Three years in the preparation, The Great Russian Race got under way at the weekend in Vladivostok and is scheduled to end in 16 weeks’ time in St Petersburg.

Organiser Richard Haldane, a trout farmer from Cloan near Auchterarder, hopes that the unique challenge will raise a quarter of a million dollars for Russian charities.

An average of three marathons will be completed each day, with 360 runners taking part—180 Brits and 180 Russians.

Speaking before heading out to Russia, Mr Haldane explained, “It has taken the last three years to organise arguably the longest ever relay race.

“It will take us across eight time zones and 11,000 kilometres and has taken $1 million to fund. The money we raise from sponsorship will go to homeless Russians, as well as orphans and disabled children.

“This is a very big event for the people of Russia and I have had to deal with 28 different governors, so the bureaucratic involvement has been phenomenal!”

To celebrate the millennium, Mr Haldane organised The Island Race which involved 4000 people running around the coast of Britain.

He recalled, “After two weeks of doing that I was thinking about what I could do next. It took place in August and September of 2000, raising over £1 million for local charities, and soon after I had my first meeting about a possible round the world race. It soon became clear that I had bitten off more than I could chew with that one, so I thought if we can’t do the world then we can do the biggest country.”

He added, “It is a run that has never before been attempted. Parts of Siberia are more remote and less known than anywhere else in the world, and this race will take the runners through them.

“The environment, though hugely beautiful, can only be described as less than easy and those who take part in running across the world’s largest country will have achieved something unique and will depart with memories to last their lives.

“As well as the running challenge, the event will aim to pioneer and develop the culture of charitable giving and sponsorship in an area of the world where the concept is relatively new.

“With the support of the host nation, companies and foreign organisations keen to develop their businesses in Russia can demonstrate their interest and help to raise significant funds for registered charities already working in the area.

“A number of international and Russian charities—in particular Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) which specialises in the care of abandoned, orphaned and homeless children—have been selected by The World Race trustees to administer a proportion of the funds raised, all of which will be allocated to areas adjacent to the route of the race.”