Runners and spectators are getting ready for Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run on Sunday 25 September.
Runners will start at Rochdale Town Hall and set out over the town’s recently uncovered bridge on new traffic-free courses taking in town and some of the borough’s best countryside scenes.
The half marathon leaves the town hall along Entwisle Road, before heading towards Smithy Bridge down the towpath of the Rochdale Canal. Close to the Waterside Restaurant, the route leaves the tow path and heads down Hollingworth Road towards Hollingworth Lake – one of the north west’s most scenic locations. It then follows the edge of the lake and goes up Rakewood Road before turning round and following the other half of the lake. The route continues back down the canal, leaving close to Gordon Rigg Garden Centre and back down Entwisle Road to the town hall.
The 10K heads up Newgate before returning and following the half marathon route along Entwisle Road. It continues down Belfield Lane to Milnrow Road. From here the route heads down Grafton Street and Crawford Street towards the canal towpath which it follows until it reaches Waithlands Road where it follows back to the town hall.
Spectators are welcome across the route and on the Esplanade where there will be a ‘Sports Village’ featuring sports, fitness and health stalls. A wide range of information and advice will be available from specialists and local sports organisations, giving you a great chance to find out about other sports and how you can get involved locally. The ‘Sports Village’ will be open to spectators as well as those taking part in any of the events, from 9am to 1pm on Sunday 25 September.
Event sponsor Williams BMW will be displaying some of their prestige vehicles by the town hall, including the i8 and X3. Anyone who visits their stand at the event will be entered into a draw to win a BMW 4 series convertible for a weekend.
Councillor Janet Emsley, Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing at Rochdale Borough Council, who will be taking part in the fun run to raise funds for WHAG (Women’s Housing Action Group) said:
“Last year the support our runners got from crowds lining the route was superb, and the atmosphere was fantastic. You can help make 2016 even better by coming along, lining the route and cheering everyone on. The half marathon gets underway from 9am, the fun run at 9.15am and the 10K from 10.20am. There’s lots going on at the start and finish by the town hall, and lots of other great vantage points along the routes for spectators, including Hollingworth Lake in Littleborough.”
Elite runners to look out for in the half marathon include Jenny Knass from Stockport Harriers and Mo Razauk.
The event is being staged by Rochdale Borough Council in partnership with race organiser Cannonball Events and is sponsored by Williams Rochdale BMW.
For details of all three runs, maps, travel information, a video of the course and to enter visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/run
Online entry has now closed but entries are available in person at Rochdale Town Hall the day before (Saturday 24 September) from 10am to 4pm for all 3 races. You can also enter the 10K or half on the morning of the event from 7am until 15 minutes before the start of the race if there are places remaining.
The half marathon starts at 9am, fun run at 9.15am and the 10K at 10.20am.
Entry is now £32 for the half marathon (£30 for club-runners) and £23 for the 10K (£21 for club-runners.) The one-mile fun run is £5.
For the latest on the event follow @RochdaleHalf on Twitter.
20 Sep 2016