The 29th Wilmslow Half Marathon is fast approaching with a record equalling entry of 5200 runners.
The race will set off from Wilmslow Rugby Club at 10.30am on Sunday 24th March and, as always, times at the front will be fast.
The course record has stood since 2004 and is held by Isaac Macharia of Kenya in a time of 61:52 while International and City of Stoke AC athlete Michelle Ross-Cope holds the ladies record of 72.02. Nick Jones is the fastest ever British runner in the race and recorded his fastest time in 2002 when he finished 4th in 63.25, he was beaten by three Kenyans.
While elite runners compete for honours, the race itself raises tens of thousands of pounds for charities as runners pound the streets for their own chosen charity, many with very personal reasons.
Race organisers have chosen East Cheshire Hospice as the lead charity for this popular event which has now been running for thirty years (one year was cancelled due to the foot and mouth outbreak).
Wilmslow resident and Coronation Street actress, Samia Ghadie is a Patron of the Hospice. She said "I'm delighted that the Wilmslow Half Marathon organisers have chosen East Cheshire Hospice as their nominated charity for 2013. It's a fantastic cause and I have personal experience of the wonderful services they provide. I'd appeal to any runners to take this chance to help raise vital funds for them, so that they can continue to provide this service to our community."
All roads on the course will be closed to traffic as runners race along the country lanes from Wilmslow to Mobberley and then back again. Surrounding roads are also affected and the closure starts from 10.00am. The A536 road to the M56 should be avoided until after 1.00pm.
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