Organisers of Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run are promising the events will be ‘even better’ this year as they aim to establish the event as one of the region’s best new runs.
Event organiser John Lloyd says following the inaugural event in 2015 lessons were learnt and a number of significant improvements are being made to benefit runners and spectators on Sunday 25 September:
“Our half marathon and 10k courses are more than 20 percent flatter this time, meaning they are faster routes. They both have several long, flat straight sections that will be great for pacing and maintaining your speed. The routes are also far more scenic, showing off our villages and countryside as well as being superior for spectators, particularly the half marathon that passes Littleborough and Smithy Bridge train stations. As the events grow these changes will also help to attract more runners, 1,300 registered last time but we are expecting many more this time.”
The half marathon includes a lap around the popular beauty spot, Hollingworth Lake, with the lake bank visitor attractions providing another focal point for spectators. This year friends and family can choose between the start and finish line at Rochdale Town Hall, the lake, or one of the hundreds of other locations along the routes.
Councillor Janet Emsley, Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing said:
“We have high expectations for this second year and these changes will really help. Crossing the finishing line on race day with a sense of achieving something really special is a great feeling and with a one mile and 10K as well as the half there’s something for every ability. I hope people come again and support our runners, especially as a lot of them will be doing it for charity. The crowd around Rochdale Town Hall gave such enthusiastic support last year and people got behind the runners so much that we wanted to incorporate another viewing area … Hollingworth Lake will be fabulous.”
The half marathon leaves the town hall along Entwisle Road, before heading towards Smithy Bridge down the canal towpath. Close to the Waterside Restaurant, the route leaves the tow path and heads down Hollingworth Road towards Hollingworth Lake, 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 event 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.
The fun run route remains unchanged - it heads out from the town hall along Baillie Street and turns just before the crossroad on Smith Street.
Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run is organised by Cannonball Events, supported by Rochdale Borough Council.
You can enter all three runs online at www.rochdale.gov.uk/run
To keep up-to-date with the latest information follow @RochdaleHalf on Twitter and use #WilliamsBMW
23 Mar 2016