2012 Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia sells out in record time.

 Organisers of the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia, IMG Challenger World, has announced today that all 5,100 places on the 2012 event have sold out in record time. The event starts and finishes in Pitlochry, passing through Rannoch and near Aberfeldy.

Overwhelming demand for the 2012 Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia, taking place in Highland Perthshire on May 13th, saw the event sell out in a matter of weeks since entries opened mid September. This underlines the growing popularity of what was the UK's first closed road cycling sportive and is now the largest of its kind outside mainland Europe.

The news comes as a welcome boost to the Highland Perthshire economy with the event expected to bring in over £1million of additional spend in the area as cyclists and their families flock to Highland Perthshire for this annual event which has become a firm favourite in the cyclist's calendar.

To cope with increasing demand for such events, the organisers have recently announced the opening of their third closed road sportive and the first closed road event in England, the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines, which takes place in Durham on October 7th 2012.  Entries for this event are now open and are sure to sell quickly as this is the only opportunity for cyclists to ride on completely closed roads through some of the most stunning countryside in the north of England.

Julia Warne, Head of Marketing, PR & Communications for IMG Challenger World sees the growth in demand as a reward for hard work in delivering quality events: "2011 has been a great year for us with the Etape Caledonia and Hibernia growing in popularity and cementing their reputation on the national and international sportive calendars. Now that the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia has sold out in record time, it's great to be able to offer cyclists another closed road event in the new Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines on 7th October 2012."

"We are excited about returning to Scotland in 2012, with a sell out event and continuing to build on our success and our positive impact on the local economy. We understand that a number of hotels and B&Bs are already booked up well in advance and that the Highland Perthshire business community is preparing for a very busy weekend in May."

Marie Curie Cancer Care is the official Charity Partner of the Etape Series 2012. All funds raised by cyclists taking part will enable Marie Curie Nurses to provide more free care and support to terminally ill people and their families.

For more information on Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia

Highland Perthshire had its first full time dedicated cycle shop in 'Escape Route' in Pitlochry in 1997. There have been a number of businesses that rented out cycles as in most areas of Scotland.

 The big change to cycling in Highland Perthshire was the introduction of Etape Caledonia, Britain's only closed road event for cyclists. The first Etape Caledonia event was held on Sunday 24th June 2007 amidst quite some considerable opposition. The opposition was against road closures and some of the opponents had grievances with P&K Council over various issues. From a personal perspective I felt the communications about the event had been poor and this is what got many people's backs up.

 The 81 mile Etape Caledonia route starts in Pitlochry, but runs through the communities of Tummel, Rannoch, Fortingall, Dull and Weem near Aberfeldy and back to Pitlochry.

 The event has grown year on year, with the 2011 Etape Caledonia selling out six months early with 5,250 entrants up 750 on the 2010 level. There is no doubt the event attracts many people to Highland Perthshire that would not have otherwise have come here. The stunning scenery along the route leaves many first timers to  the area really impressed.

 One of the outcomes from the event is that a group of businesses and individuals worked to maximise the event for Highland Perthshire. Initially the objective was to ensure as many Highland Perthshire businesses were involved from marshalling, to therapists, catering and of course accommodation. Also to make sure businesses along the closed road route were involved where ever possible.

 This has led to the formation of the Highland Perthshire Cycling Group who now employ someone one day a week all year round to drive cycling in Highland Perthshire, in the schools, to clubs and events and importantly now coordi