All Go for new family festival Bosses predict massive crowds
Organisers of a new running event say they have drawn entrants from across the world to line up in Ayr.
The starting gun will be fired on the Go! Festival next weekend and will feature competitors from as far afield as America.
A family cycle ride, 10k and half- marathon, will close off the streets of Ayr on Saturday, September 7.
And it all ends with a spectacular air display and fireworks show on the Low Green.
An international flavour will grace the festival, which bosses hope to integrate with the Scottish Airshow when it returns in 2020.
Course director John Lloyd, of Cannonball Events, said Ayr’s “great potential” to stage such a festival made it a standout host venue.
He said: “We have worked hard with South Ayrshire Council and have designed a great combination of really good and fast courses for athletes, a great family cycle ride and a unique set of entertainment at the end of the day on the Low Green.
“I am truly excited about the races and the future plans which we are already putting in place.
“We are all going to make this an outstanding annual event on the UK athletics calendar.”
Athletes from three areas of the States are among those to sign up for next Saturday’s event.
And a sports tour company is also in talks to bring athletes and families to next year’s festival.
John revealed: “They’ll be designing and selling a package of several nights stay in Ayrshire with the Go! Festival half- marathon as the reason for coming to Ayr.
“This is the start of another major successful festival based in Ayr.”
Airshow supremo Doug Maclean is event director for the new festival and predicts a big future for the joint operation.
He said: “We wanted to make more use of the huge infrastructure we bring for the Airshow weekend.
“The Go! Festival is on track to become a sister company of the Airshow and we intend to grow it in future years.
“This year will see over 1000 runners and cyclists take part in the closed- road events.
“For everyone’s safety we will operate on closed roads.
“The courses and timing of the events have been carefully worked out to cause the least disruption when roads are closed.
“Some areas will have closed roads for up to three hours and others much less.”
Anyone with queries about closures can email resident@ gofestival. scot.
Races are due to start and finish from the Low Green with an aerobatic display at 8pm.