INTERVIEW: Half marathon race will return to Morecambe and Lancaster

Lancaster Races will hold a half-marathon around the local area this Sunday (November 6).

The circuit for the race begins at Trimpell Sports Club in Morecambe, before competitors run to Aldcliffe Village via Lancaster and finish at the Trimpell too.

Billy Gardner from Lancaster Races spoke to Beyond Radio about the race.

“We have 30 or 40 races and we sort of bounce off one onto another, we had a fun run for children and a 10k for grown-ups," he said.

“Preparations look to be going well.”

Lancaster Races are gradually returning in terms of numbers following the relaxation of COVID restrictions last year.

“We’re coming back," said Billy.

"This year we’re just starting to pick up numbers ever so slightly. The race at the weekend, we’ve got about 200 in that - we’ve had about 700 to 800 in the past – but that’s not to be negative because 200 at the moment is really good, because people are coming out and cheering people on too.

“We don’t get locals, in fact about one per cent of the runners are from around here. We’ve got a new race in February which is just going to be on the roads and that might attract more locals. We usually try and use bike tracks and stay clear off roads as much as people.”

Billy says that winning the race is “secondary to everybody getting back safely and having a good time, getting the medal and the T-shirt".

The route for the race is, according to the Lancaster Race Series website, “mainly traffic free” and the half marathon “encourages new runners and personal best hunters”.

Billy and the Lancaster Races team thanked the Trimpell Sports Club for being the start and finish point for the half marathon once again.

“This is how the race started, at the Trimpell Club 25 years ago, so it’s really exciting to go back there again," he said.

T-shirts are awarded to all participants, while the top three in both the male and female categories, as well as the first-placed runner in every age category, will receive prizes.

People wanting to take part must be 17 or over and can sign up online.

The prices are £28.50 for affiliated club runners, £31.50 for non-club runners and £22.80 for Lancaster club runners (all prices include booking fees).

Information on booking and further details can be found here.