Preston to be first city in the North West to host major running race

Preston's first major sporting event of the year looks set to take place next month.
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Bookings are now being taken for the Spar City of Preston 10k, setting off from Market Street at 9am on Sunday, October 25.

Up to 1,000 runners are expected to take their place in the event, which will be the front-runner for any event of its kind in the North West.

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Chris Bird, from organisers The Running Bee Foundation, said: "Until everybody is at the start line, there is always some doubt, it's a very fluid situation across the world.

Last year's 10k runLast year's 10k run
Last year's 10k run

"But we have gone above and beyond, checked and double-checked our Covid strategy, and we're confident it will be safe."

He added: "All of the events that would have taken place in spring and summer have been done virtually, but we made a decision that Preston would be the first event we could safely do, and we've had plenty of time to plan."

Working with Preston Council, SPAR as sponsors, a raft of changes have been made to the event this year, including:

- No entries on the day

Winner of last year's race, Mohammad Abu-RezeqWinner of last year's race, Mohammad Abu-Rezeq
Winner of last year's race, Mohammad Abu-Rezeq

- No spectators

- No bag drop, runners must come ready to run

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- No water stations, runners must come hydrated and/or bring a drink with them

- More toilet facilities, alongside a ‘clean team’ keeping them sanitised

- No earphones/headphones

- No spitting or nasal clearances

- Overtaking only when there is sufficient social distance to do so.

- While waiting, competitors will be asked to wear face masks, which will be discarded when running starts

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Chris says the number of competitors has been reduced by half, to between 500 and 1,000.

He added: "So many people have come to us and said 'we want to run'.

"We're very pleased to be able to do this again in Preston, and we want people to come along, run with their friends, enjoy it.

"All the evidence points to exercise helping people fight the infection."

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He added: "It's also important to note that this is a run for good. It's not a run to make money, infact every penny that is made will be put back into Preston, supporting health and well-being initiatives and fighting childhood obesity."

For more information on the event and details on how to sign up, click here

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