Market Drayton 10k a sell-out . . . with 10 months to go

All 2,300 spots in 2016's Market Drayton 10k have been taken up within nine weeks of entries opening. About 50 people signed up for the event within the first hour, organisers have revealed.

The run, which will take place on May 8 next year, attracts thousands of people to the town from across the country and has been voted the best race in the UK by Runners World Magazine ahead of the likes of the London Marathon and the Great North Run.

Those behind the annual event believe the surge in demand is down to about 300 people missing out on this year's run due to places being snapped up early.

Pauline Newton, one of the organisers, said: "It is an amazing success only possible with the support from runners, spectators, local residents and businesses."

She added: "We are thrilled to announce a complete sell-out of all 2,300 places in just nine weeks."

Race director Tim Beckett said: "I'm really pleased with the success and certainly wasn't expecting it to be sold out 10 months before the event.

"Events like the London Marathon and the Great North run sell out quickly but it is unheard of from a market town like Market Drayton.

Overwhelmed

"The reason seems to be that last year more than 300 people couldn't enter due to the race being full and after winning two awards people didn't want to miss out again.

"So when they saw the race was filling up it prompted them to enter."

Last year, organisers were overwhelmed by the response they had received setting a new record when entries filled up two months ahead of the event.

Mr Beckett added: "We have extended the entry list over the last year from 2,000 to 2,300 places and have discussed increasing this limit further but unfortunately due to the infrastructure of the venue and town we couldn't accommodate any more runners.

"Most runners bring at least one person with them so if we added an extra 200 places this would in turn bring another 400 people to try and find car parking for.

"The car parks and park and ride for this year's race was at a maximum."

The race started as a carnival fun-run, but was established as a serious 10K race in 2004.

Since then the event has grown in popularity and stature.

Ms Newton said: "This is just further confirmation that Market Drayton is able to offer a nationally-recognised sporting event year after year, and that the warm welcome by local people shown to runners and spectators from near and far is very much appreciated."

The race does operate a free transfer system allowing those who have booked a place to swap with someone who is unregistered if they can no longer take part in the event.

For more information on the event visit www.marketdrayton10k.co.uk