CYCLISTS will be making a dash for it in a bid to raise £100,000 for a charity aiming to find a cure for a devastating disease.

The 200-mile Cheshire Dash is being organised by Catriona and Mike Marshall from Goostrey, and starts and ends at their home.

The event takes place over two days, July 7 and 8, with 100 riders aiming to raise £1,000 each for Duchenne UK.

The cyclists range from novices to experienced riders, all raising funds to find a cure for a form of muscular dystrophy which affects young boys.

The route starts in Goostrey and heads through Delamere towards Mickle Trafford and the Cheshire Millenium Greenway cycle path.

From there the cyclists enter north Wales and later return via the River Dee Cycle Path into Chester, around the Chester Racecourse and through The Groves where it leaves the River Dee.

The route then heads towards east Cheshire villages in the direction of Bickerton then Audlem.

The riders will stop at 100 miles for an overnight rest at Keele University, before embarking the following day on the next 100 miles, heading back into Cheshire and over the Macclesfield hills.

The event is being organised by Catriona and Mike Marshall, who have been so impressed with the rapid progress being made by Duchenne UK that they want to help its mission to end this terrible disease.

They’re being supported by families in Cheshire affected by Duchenne, including family members who are taking to their bikes for the challenge.

Catriona was inspired to stage the event after taking part in The Duchenne Dash Bike Ride from London to Paris.

She said: “It’s been a great opportunity to raise awareness of Duchenne and funds to support critical research, but it’s also been an opportunity to celebrate our beautiful Cheshire villages and countryside.

“We’ve recruited many new cyclists, who’ve been enjoying months of training around the lanes.”

Local businesses have been very supportive, with The Cheshire Dining Experience providing food, Bentley Manchester providing the lead vehicles, Yodel the support vans and Jacamo a flash of fashion.

Mike said: “We’re determined to make it an event with a difference. From tutorials, training rides and motivational videos before the event, to first class food, extensive ride support, smart jerseys and an entertaining evening, we’ve thought of everything to get each cyclist through 200 miles with a smile on their face.”

The event can still accommodate more riders, so if you’re motivated to sign up register at eventbee.com/event?eid=101064316

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common fatal genetic disease diagnosed in childhood.

The disease almost always affects boys, and they tend to be diagnosed before the age of five. There are around 2,500 patients in the UK and an estimated 300,000 sufferers worldwide.