Run the Alderley Edge bypass before it opens

Its been a long wait for local residents but the opening of the Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley bypass is now insight. To mark the occasion representatives from Nether Alderley Parish Council, Alderley Edge Rotary Club, Wilmslow Running Club, Seashell Trust and the Combined Charity Christmas Card Shops have come together to provide us with the opportunity to run, or walk, the bypass on Sunday October 24th - before it is open to traffic.

Having been contacted by numerous parties, Birse Civils and Cheshire East Council have kindly granted permission and are 100% behind the event which is being organised to support local charities and good causes.

Given the level of interest in organising an event, Birse approached Alan Clarke, from Nether Alderley Parish Council, to coordinate it and he has been joined on the organising committee by Andrew Henshall from Alderley Edge Rotary Club, Malcolm Fowler from the Wilmslow Running Club, who organises the Wilmslow Half Marathon, and Sheila Hallas who raises so much money for charity via the Combined Charity Christmas Card Shops each year.

Malcolm Fowler explained "I thought it would be excellent if we could organise a charity race for all standards of runners along the bypass before it opened to traffic. The opening of the bypass is a once in a lifetime occurrence for Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley and an ideal chance to put on a local event that would raise money for charity."

The day will start with a 5 mile running race at 9.30am for the more energetic members of the community. This will be an 'out and back' course along the bypass, starting at the southern end and run under UK Athletics rules with a limit of 500 runners.

Then for those that prefer a more leisurely approach, starting from 11am at either end there will be the opportunity for people to walk the 3 miles bypass - either by just walking in one direction or walking out and back (6 miles). Three shuttle buses have been organised which will drive continually along the old A34 from the Harden Park roundabout to the southern Nether Alderley roundabout ferrying those who only want to walk the bypass in one direction. These will run from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Malcolm added "To raise money from the walk we are encouraging charities and local schools to recruit their own volunteers and supply them with sponsorship forms so that the walkers themselves collect their own sponsorship money and forward it to their own favourite charity. We envisage this is the way that most of the money will be raised. We will however be asking each walker to make a £2 donation, £5 for families, as they enter the road. The cost to enter the road race will be £10 per runner.

"It is intended that the money raised will be distributed amongst charities and good causes in the Alderley Edge, Nether Alderley and surrounding areas."

Wilmslow Running Club, Alderley Edge Rotary Club and Nether Alderley Parish Council have all said that they don't want any money for organising the event and are doing so on a voluntary basis.

Alan Clarke added "We are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather. We have waited such a long time for this bypass and I am sure it is going to improve a lot of people's lives so come along and see the new road at the first opportunity."

Numbers are limited so early entry is recommended for the race. Click here to download an entry form or you can enter online at www.ukresults.net or www.race-results.co.uk.

For those that would prefer to walk the bypass rather than run, please click here to download a sponsorship form or download further information.

Tags:

A34 Bypass, Birse, Bypass Run and Walk, Cheshire East Council, Wilmslow Running Club