Melksham race to form part of national championship

THE annual Wiltshire 10 race which takes place in Melksham has received a boost as it is to be part of the Association of Running Clubs (ARC) national championships in 2015. 

The ten-mile race, which takes place every February, has proved popular with runners due to its fast course, from King George V park through Melksham Forest to Lacock and back.

The popularity of the course has been recognised by the Association of Running Clubs who select races around the country to form part of a championship where leading athletes compete to become British champion. Previous ARC national championship road races have taken place in areas such as Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage, Bedford and Oldbury near Bristol.

Darren Wrintmore from Stampede Sports who organise the Wiltshire 10 as well as other running events said, “Since the race was first launched in 2011 it has reached its 300 runner limit so in anticipation of next year’s national championship race in Melksham, we have uplifted the entry limit to 500 competitors.

“Being the national championships means that we may see some of the best road runners in the United Kingdom competing on the roads around Melksham as the Association of Running Clubs (ARC) are putting up awards to the leading athletes and clubs as they compete for the right to be crowned British champions.

“The race has been selected due to its meeting the championship criteria laid down by the ARC and also it has consistently received good feedback from competitors.”

The certified accurate course is capable of providing fast times, with the current course record being set by Scottish international runner Simon Plummer in 2013 who recorded 52:14 and the fastest lady over the course is Team GB marathon runner Holly Rush who recorded 60:14 in 2011.

More details including online entry can be found at www.stampedesports.co.uk