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City of Preston 10k route is confirmed

Posted on - 23rd August, 2018 - 7:00am | Author - | Posted in - Preston City Centre, Preston News, What's On in Preston

Runners taking on the Preston 10k in previous years Pic: Paul Melling

Runners taking on the Preston 10k in previous years Pic: Paul Melling

Preston’s 10k route will have a familiar feel for 2018 as only minor tweaks have been made.

Sports Tours International, based in Manchester, have taken on the running of the event.

More than 1,000 runners have already signed up for this year’s City of Preston 10k race on Sunday 30 September.

Blog Preston can reveal below the route for the 10k and runners can expect the same charge down into Avenham Park, along the Ribble and then back up THAT hill into the city centre.

The route planned for the City of Preston 10k Pic: Blog Preston
The route planned for the City of Preston 10k Pic: Blog Preston

This year’s start and finish has been moved from Friargate, where it was last year due to the market work, to be back along Market Street.

Runners will also come down past the Japanese Garden in Avenham Park, instead of any route down Avenham Walk as in previous years.

Sports Tours chief executive Chris Bird said: “We felt it was a good route and we didn’t want to change it too much.

“In future years we might look at it, but whenever we take on these kinds of runs it’s more important to get the infrastructure and organisation around it right.”

Read more: Sadness when Run Preston was announced as coming to an end

The chip-timed run will also see each runner who enters in advance have their name on their number.

Entries in advance have been stronger than previous years and Mr Bird said they are hopeful of a record turnout.

He said: “Preston has been really supportive, the people we’ve spoken to and the councils too. It’s going to be a great race and we’re really pleased with how it’s developing.”

JD Gyms are sponsoring this year’s race, which is only a 10k as the 5k has been dropped, and it also features a new look medal.

Designs shown at the briefing outline how the city’s iconic lamb is being incorporated to what every runner receives.

The Manchester-firm stepped in to take on the run, previously known as Run Preston, after organiser Steve Ashcroft decided to call time on the run after years of putting it on – blaming the rising cost of road closures.

Sports Tours International have pledge to reinvest some of the profits from the future runs in supporting running in the city.

Chris Bird and Ron Hill at the launch Pic: Blog Preston
Chris Bird and Ron Hill at the launch Pic: Blog Preston

Mr Bird said: “From the 2019 event onwards we will be setting up a Running Bee Foundation.

“This will take the profits from the run and make this money available for local organisations and charities to bid for running events which encourage exercise and more. We will be making more details available soon about this.”

Mayoral support

Mayor of Preston councillor Trevor Hart said: “No, I won’t be running the race but I will be there to support everyone.

“I think it’s a great route and I like there’s the serious race for those who are into running but also the family fun run option too.

“There will be lots of cheering and supporting during the route, and it should be a great day for Preston.

“I am impressed by the commitment being shown by them (Sports Tours) and also this new fund they are starting up to invest back into the city as well.

“That’s what this is all about, getting people out running and getting active. I think everyone can support that.”

A running legend

The launch event for the route heard from Ron Hill MBE, the second man to break the 2hours10minutes barrier in the marathon distance.

From Accrington, 79-year-old Ron went on to become a winner of the Boston Marathon in 1970 and also forged a successful career in textiles developing new synthetic runwear.

Ron told of how the prizes for competing in big sporting events were very different to the mega money the likes of Mo Farah receives.

He said: “I went over to the Boston Marathon and you were given a bottle of beef stew for winning!”

First-time runner

Sultana Ahmed also spoke about how she’s been clocking up the miles in preparation for the 10k.

Sultana Ahmed will be running this year's 10k - her first ever long-distance run
Sultana Ahmed will be running this year’s 10k – her first ever long-distance run

She began running when her son had taken it up at school for sports days and in PE lessons.

Upon seeing the news about the Preston 10k in her Facebook feed, Ms Ahmed decided to break down some of the cultural barriers she said which meant those of Bangladeshi origin were less likely to run for leisure.

She went for a run in Moor Park, got the running bug and she’s now hard in training for the 10k in the city.

How to enter and how much it is

The earlybird running price of £17 is available until the end of August (£15 for club runners), after this date the price is going up. The race starts at 9.30am.

You can sign up via the City of Preston 10k website.

Like to go for a run in and around Preston? Join our dedicated Running In And Around Preston Facebook group to share routes and more

What do you think about the Preston 10k route? Will you be running this year? Let us know in the comments below

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