A competitor on the iROC mountain biking course. Photo: iROC

Entries for an innovative adventure race which combines running, orienteering and mountain biking have opened, with organisers promising an even better event than the inaugural competition this year.

The iROC will take place on the weekend of the May bank holiday next year in the Durham Dales and will feature both daytime and night-time races on foot and on two wheels. The course is designed to loop back through the start point for better spectating.

The disused works at Eastgate are again the venue for the event. Organisers said: “The former cement works are surrounded by stunning moorland and are on the boundary of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“The site itself is largely hidden from public view but is complete with a large quarry, steep hillsides with complex contour features, forest and a perfect event village location with self contained campsite at the bottom of the valley.

The event takes place in and around the former Eastgate cement works. Photo: iROC

“It’s a brilliant venue for an action packed weekend for all, in a beautiful and quiet area of the Durham Dales that will be well away from the bank-holiday crowds.”

Entries will be restricted to 400 with a night race and a daytime competition in each discipline. Outdoor brand inov-8 created the competition last year and is keen to build on the success of the first event. Families are particularly welcome and camping is included in the entrance fee.

The venue, in upper Weardale, lies between Stanhope and Alston in the less frequented North Pennines, 23km (14 miles) east of the Pennine Way and 31km (19miles) south of Hadrian’s Wall.

The night-time fell race will run over a distance of 9km (5½ miles) with 430m of climbing; the daytime race will be 14km (8¾ miles) with more than 600m of ascent. The night mountain-bike race will cover 18km (11 miles) and will be followed by a six-hour enduro event.

Details and online entry are on the iROC website.