Over 300 Newbury runners signed up to Bayer 10K

The Newbury race, scheduled for later this month, has been expanded to include more entrants

THE 2011 Bayer Newbury 10k race has been expanded to include up to 1,000 runners, with more than 300 from Newbury already signed up for the race.

The Bayer 10K takes place this year on Sunday, May 29.

In the past, the race could accommodate only 750 runners, but the organisers have decided to allow for more entrants this year due to its growing popularity.

Aside from the 325 Newbury entrants who have already signed up, there are also 122 from Thatcham and five from Tadley so far, plus many more coming from further afield, including Reading, Oxford, Liverpool and even Aberdeen.

The route, which had been adapted to accommodate the extra runners, has been made available and passes through areas in the town such as Northbrook Street, Strawberry Hill, Speen Lane and Kimbers Drive.

The race will start at 10.15am in the Market Place and the runners will then cross Newbury Bypass before bearing right on to the property of Benham Valence, rejoining the public footpath, then on to Moor Lane, heading back towards the town via Northcroft.

They will then go out of the town again along West Mills on the towpath before joining a footpath leading up to Craven Road and returning to the Market Place via Bartholomew Street, with the frontrunners returning by 10.50am.

Bayer spokeswoman Andrea Postles said: "When we began the Bayer Newbury 10k four years ago we could accommodate 500 runners, but this year we are up to 1,000. This is an amazing achievement for a locally run event which has now achieved national status with runners coming from around the country to be with us on the day.

“This year's route takes them past some of the town's top sights and gives the runners – who may be visiting us for the first time – the chance to see what makes Newbury so special.”

There are now just under three weeks left until this race gets underway and Bayer says that only a few of the extra places are still available.

The race is being organised by Newbury Athletics Club and sponsored by Bayer and the proceeds will go to the Newbury and District Multiple Sclerosis Society and runners are encouraged to wear fancy dress help raise money.

For more information or to enter, visit www.bayer.co.uk or www.newburyac.org.uk.