Half Marathon draws ever closer
COUNTY SUPPORTERS CO-OPERATIVE COLUMN when many athletes are wary of committing to a race when future fitness is an imponderable, the race has reached a healthy number of 150 runners who have signed to line up on the start line outside Edgeley Park at 9.30 on 3 September.
In addition, numerous running clubs have demonstrated their interest by including the third Hatters Half in their race series, so a healthy number of latish entrants can be expected from that source.
Not taking things for granted however, Giles has set members of the Cooperative Board the task of targeting a clutch of local races, leafleting same with details of the Stockport race.
With this in mind, recently, Chair of the Cooperative, Peter Towey was out at the Buxton Half Marathon doing his bit, and other races on the `hit list’ include Boars Head 8 Miler, Tour of Tameside Longdendale Trail Half, and Stockport Harriers Offerton 10k on June 21.
The race is a major contributor to the Cooperative Guardian Account, and, in addition to the excellent effort being done by Guardian Account Hero Des Greene,the brilliant linkup between the Cooperative and Stockport’s homeless charity The Wellspring, will, via the charity’s resolve to take 50 entries, boost this element as well as proving an excellent fund raiser for the Wellspring. Watch out for the Wellsprings facebook campaign or contact them via www. thewellspring.co.uk
For those readers interested in running the Hatters Half Marathon, be advised that, the Robinsons Brewery supported race is a brilliant community event attracting a great number of spectators, and expertly marshalled- enter via http://hattershalf.co. uk/.
The first mile of the race is on the road, before joining the Trans Pennine Trail at Woolpack Bridge (off Brinksway). The scenic route follows the River Mersey to Northenden, before forming a 2 mile loop, and then returning to the finish in Alexandra Park, Edgeley.
The cost is £18 affiliated and £20 non-affiliated runners and includes a medal and free Stockport County ticket.
And finally ...... to join `Team Hatters Half’ and help out on the day please email Race Director John Giles at johngiles20@hotmail. com