Rochdale Harriers, Middleton Harriers and Rochdale Triathlon Club supporting Rochdale’s big race

Councillor Janet Emsley with members of Rochdale Harriers, Middleton Harriers and Rochdale Triathlon Club

Rochdale Harriers, Middleton Harriers and Rochdale Triathlon Club are supporting this year’s Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run which returns on Sunday 8 October.

The clubs, who have hundreds of members across the borough and years of running event experience, are already preparing for the big day.

Last year the event attracted runners from across Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, Cheshire and beyond as well as many from the borough, with spectators coming out in numbers to line many parts of the route.

Councillor Janet Emsley, our cabinet member for culture, health and wellbeing, said we welcome the new sporting partnership: “We’re keen to see this event grow and pleased to now be working with three of our local sports clubs who together have the experience, resources and members to help this popular event move to the next level.

"Each club brings something different that will benefit the race and our runners and I am looking forward to working with them. One of the council’s priorities is to encourage more people to get active and participate in sports whatever their level, so once again with our half marathon, 10K and mile fun run there is something for everyone.

"Mass participation events of this nature are proven to help inspire people to get active whilst making positive contributions to the local economy.”

The half marathon leaves the town hall along the Esplanade and runs the edge of Broadfield Park, before heading through to the Rochdale Canal at Oldham Road Basin. The route then heads past Kingsway Business Park and Smithy Bridge along the canal. Close to the Waterside Restaurant the route leaves the tow path and heads up Hollingworth Road towards Hollingworth Lake, making a clockwise loop of the lake. It then returns down Hollingworth Road and back on to the canal. The race retraces its outward route from the town hall until it reaches Broadfield Park, where runners will go through the park before re-joining the Esplanade for the final sprint to the finish line.

The 10K follows the same route as the half marathon on to the canal, but leaves the canal at the swing bridge at Kingsway Business Park, making a loop of pleasant cycleways, before returning to the canal and the same finishing route as the half marathon. Since 2015 over 2,200 people have taken part in the event, which sets out by the new Gracie Fields statue, and the recently uncovered River Roch bridge on traffic-free courses taking in town and some of the north west’s most picturesque countryside scenes.

Runners who enter before Friday 31 March 2017 can take advantage of special ‘early bird’ entry prices. Half Marathon places cost £24.40 for club-runners, £26.40 for non-club runners, while the 10K is £15.60 for club runners, £17.60 for non-club runners, with all prices including the booking fee. Fun Run entry opens in June. The routes will be fully-marshalled and on roads closed to traffic. Finishers will receive a medal, technical t-shirt and goody bag.