Olympian to start Mad Dog 10k race
ABRITISH Olympian will officially start Southport’s Mad Dog 10k 2018.
The event returns on Sunday for the 8th year and will be started by Jo Pavey, a British long-distance runner and a World, European and Commonwealth medallist.
Approximately 2,500 people will run along Southport’s shoreline.
The annual event is growing in popularity, with ticket sales crashing the website and selling out in just two hours.
To prevent disappointment, the organisers are hoping to improve the capacity of Mad Dog 9 for next year.
Jo Pavey said she was excited to be involved in the popular event and tweeted: “Thrilled to be the starter of the @maddog10k on 4/2/18. It’s a fantastic event and won best 10k in the UK at the National Running Awards.
“Really looking forward to it.”
Southport Hesketh Round Table, which organises the race, described it as an allinclusive, fun event, open to every runner whatever their ability.
The majority of the funds raised from the event are spent on the running experience, and the goody bags, but all profits are donated to charity,
Organisers have even arranged for a live band to play at every kilometre.
Each year has a theme, and some runners wear fancy dress – this year it is “Hairy Potter and the half – bred pup” and £300 will be given to the participant with the best outfit.
A crazy pup race is also held, with 200 children taking part, who all receive a medal and T-shirt.
The popular event has been named as the “best 10k in the UK” by various organisations, including Runner’s World and the National Running Awards, for the last four years.
The director of the Mad Dog 10K, Adrian Shandley, said: “We have won awards in every year that the event has been held.
“The event has an amazing atmosphere, perhaps because it is themed along a fun theme, or perhaps because every year is different.
“The goody bag is like no other, this year there are 20 items in the goody bag, not counting leaflets and vouchers.
“An interesting fact is that this is one of the few races that attracts more women than men! Probably because it is a friendly atmosphere, rather than the more serious events that you see.
“We have a huge fancy dress contingent who really make a big effort to dress up for the day with big prizes on offer.”
For more information, or to keep updated, visit www.maddog10k.com