Civic Leaders Drive Each Other Up The Wall In Cliffhanger Launch Mission

A rather unlikely climbing partnership marked the countdown to one of Sheffield's most eagerly anticipated summer events.

Sheffield City Council leader Councillor Paul Scriven - who freely admits he's scared of heights - put his trust in the hands of climbing enthusiast and Sheffield Hallam University vice-chancellor Philip Jones when he got a crash course in scaling the world's biggest ‘bouldering' wall to mark the start of preparation for the massive Cliffhanger event.

The civic duo announced plans for the event that takes place in Millhouses Park on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12.

Councillor Paul Scriven said: "In just three years Cliffhanger has grown to become one of the most exciting and well attended outdoor events in the UK.

"It offers fantastic variety for all the family and further proves Sheffield's status as the UK's climbing capital."

They were joined by an audience of renowned athletes (including climber Steve McClure; climber Rab Carrington who is also president of BMC; World Champion mountain biker Steve Peat; orienteer Oli Johnson; runner Richard Patton); event sponsors and organisers at a special launch event that provided a snapshot of the kind of things on offer at Cliffhanger that make it such a fabulous, family orientated, value-for-money event that last year attracted some 15,000 people.

Cliffhanger is one of the UK's largest outdoor outdoor-pursuits festivals, based in one of Sheffield's biggest green spaces. It is the brainchild of Sheffield City Council's Parks & Countryside Department and has been developed to its current level with support from Heason Events.
The event features competitions and demonstrations in rock climbing, orienteering, kayaking, mountain biking, running, skiing & snowboarding, skateboarding, free running, adventure racing and more visitors will be able to watch elite sports-people of all ages competing or demonstrating, and then take part in the sports they have just been inspired by.

There will also be scuba diving, angling, kite flying, assault courses, caving, a massive bargain area, music, plenty of children's rides and other activities, food stalls, a market and much, much more.

The activities are aimed at people of all ages. New attractions for this year include urban fell race, adventure race, trailquest, archery, rollerskiing, skateboarding demonstrations, mountain bike trials coaching and bouldering coaching.