2010 Wilmslow Half Marathon!

But as any seasoned competitor knows, it’s a race just to secure a place in the prestigious annual event .Although the number of people allowed to take part in the Half Marathon has increased over the years to 4,800, Wilmslow Running Club Chairman Nick Bishop said that the entries were closed weeks ago.

“The limit this year was 4,800 but the race is now so popular we had to close the entries by the first week in January. Over the last 20 years numbers have increased from 1100 in 1991 to the current levels of close to 5,000 resulting in a complete road closure on the course and supported by Cheshire Police.

Local runners, as well as professional athletes and celebrities will  line up together in the challenging 13.1 mile route around Wilmslow and Mobberley which will start at 10.30am on March 28,  2010.

Sponsored by ASICS, many runners will use the event to raise money for charitable causes as well as this year’s official race charity Mencap.

Nick said: “It’s a huge fundraising event and people come from miles around to raise thousands of pounds for different charities each year. Mencap is the lead charity this year.  It’s a very worthy cause and
we hope that people will support them.

Charlotte Porter, Senior Fundraiser for Mencap North West comments, “We are thrilled that we have been chosen this year as the charity partner and it is a great opportunity for us to raise our profile and some much needed funds. We’re hoping to raise £20,000 to support people with a learning disability in the region.”

In 2009 the race was chosen to host the England Half Marathon Championship which it will do so again in 2010. Nick said: “It is the first time that the same venue has been given the chance to host the England Half Marathon Championship on two successive years, but they have let us because they were so pleased with the organisation in 2009. By hosting the championships, it allows elite athletes to compete for National titles and be considered tor selection for the World Half marathon championships”

For the first time in 2009, Asics Wilmslow Half Marathon used ChampionChip
timing supplied by TDL Limited and will do so again in 2010. Athletes will have their times recorded at both 10 miles and the finish by a small micro chip tied to their laces.

Put the date in your diary and see some of the countries elite athletes race the course for the prestige of being crowned “English Half Marathon Champion “In just minutes over the hour , but equally spare a thought for those pounding the roads for charity who will be on their feet for well over two hours .

click here to read about the 2009 KT report.

Click here to view photographs taken on the day by Jonathan Farber / Knutsford Times. Please feel free to download the gently watermarked version directly from the gallery.

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