Entry deadline approaches for big Rochdale run

With just weeks to go before this year’s Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run, organisers are reminding potential participants to make sure they enter online before the deadline of 3pm on 1 October.

Over 750 places have already been booked and more than 1,000 are expected to be taking part when the event returns on Sunday 8 October, two years after it was last held.

Councillor Janet Emsley, the council’s cabinet member for equity, safety and reform said: “It’s great to see this event back on our calendar and to welcome runners to the borough again. This event attracts runners from right across the north-west and beyond and I also hope to see hundreds of people coming out to support them. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy physical activity while seeing so much of our town, countryside and history at the same time. We’ve seen a big increase in sign-ups in the last few days but we’re reminding everyone not to miss out and sign up before the deadline.”

Due to ongoing restoration work at Rochdale Town Hall, the start and finish line will be located along the Esplanade towards Touchstones museum, with all three routes slightly adjusted to ensure their distance is maintained.

There will be a Sports Village on the newly paved area at Rochdale Town Hall Square, with food and drink available as well as displays from title sponsor Williams Rochdale BMW, Sports Physio UK, Your Trust, Hopwood Hall College and JD Gyms.

Everyone who registers for the traffic-free runs before the deadline will pay £34.50 for the half marathon (£32 for club-runners) or £22 for the 10K (£19 for club-runners). The one-mile family fun run is £7.

Environmentally minded changes for this year include the official T-shirt being made from recycled plastic bottles - it’s also a £20 optional extra rather than built-in as previous years, so the event can reduce wastage. All finishers will receive a medal, made from wood instead of metal as wooden medals use less energy and have a lower carbon footprint.

Jolly Josh, Maggie’s Manchester and Springhill Hospice are the official charities for the event. You are welcome to run to raise money for one of those or another charity of your choice if you wish.

To enter online, view the routes as well as answers to popular questions about the event visit rochdale.gov.uk/run

The event is co-ordinated by Rochdale Harriers and Rochdale Triathlon Club supported by Rochdale Borough Council.

You can also find the latest information about the event by following @RochdaleHalf on Twitter, or liking ‘Rochdale Half Marathon’ on Facebook and ‘RochdaleHalfMarathon’ on Instagram