Market Drayton 10K bosses say event will sell out soon
Organisers of a race named the best in the UK have seen hundreds sign up for the event, nearly five months before the closing date.
The Market Drayton 10K was named the UK's best race by Runners World magazine at the end of last year, beating contestants including the Great North Run and the London Marathon.
It was also awarded the title of the number one 10K in the UK for the third year running.
And thanks to the awards, race director Tim Beckett said he expects places to be sold out within weeks.
He said: "We only have 700 places left for the race in May.
"With winning two awards we have already sold 1,500 places and it isn't even the end of January.
"We sold out in March last year, but it will be February this year the way we are going which is great.
"But we do need to let people know if they want to run they have to enter as we can't extend the limit of 2,200 runners."
The race was launched in 2004 when organisers were pleased to have just 125 entries.
Mr Beckett said: "After a few years the race had 900 entries which then took us to becoming the largest 10K in the West Midlands.
"The race was originally organised with help from Muller, but in 2011 was using too many resources.
"So that year I set up a separate 10K committee and still managed to get 1,100 entries even though we only had eight weeks to organise the race.
"Now we have a small committee of around seven people and then rely on the running club and local organisations on the day to assist – we need about 150 people in total.
"We couldn't have achieved so much without the help of everyone who has contributed including sponsors and helpers.
"None of us have any financial gain and there aren't any profits made.
"The race costs £25,000 to put on by the time we have funded T-shirts, medals, goody bags, park and ride and the rest – plus the fact our entry fee doesn't cover the cost of the race.
"We charge £14 for running clubs and £16 for all other entries – other races charge as much as £24 – another reason we are rated value for money.
"I never expected the race to be so successful.
"This is some really positive news for Market Drayton."
In 2014, the race saw 2,300 runners take part which was 35 per cent up on the previous year.
The run will be held around the town on May 10.
For more information on the event visit the website at www.marketdrayton10k.co.uk
