Hatters Half Marathon ups Co-op’s game

THE Supporters’ Co-op is used to putting on successful events to bring the fans together and raise money for a good cause – but its latest venture is altogether more ambitious than anything that’s gone before.

The Hatters Half Marathon will be run on Sunday, September 6th starting at 9.30am from Edgeley Park. The race will follow theTrans Pennine Trail along the river Mersey before looping back to the stadium for the finish.

This major commitment on the part of the Co-op should attract some good publicity for the town.

The event’s potential was illustrated when the first people to sign up were a married couple from Plymouth who spotted it on the website of the national road running organisation, runbritain.

They were soon joined by entrants from Yorkshire and East Anglia, and now it’s looking like most regions of the country will be represented – together with the large local contingent that is expected.

A great deal of work has gone into planning the race to ensure everything goes smoothly and to make the day a positive experience for the hundreds of runners and the watching crowds. County have been very supportive in making facilities at Edgeley Park available to the runners.

The Co-op needed to get clearance from two local Councils – Stockport and Manchester, plus the approval of UK athletics – as well as ensuring traffic and safety issues are properly dealt with.

And then there’s the matter of the course itself: identifying it; checking for hazards; measuring it; getting the distance officially validated.

Organisers Dave Marchbank and John Giles should be familiar with every one of the 13.1 miles by, having cycled them so often.

Funds raised from the event will go to the Co-op’s Guardian Account and we are encouraging participants to raise money for our charity partner, the Wellspring, a local resource centre for homeless people.

With Stockport in the spotlight, the Co-op board is keen make the most of the occasion and to involve as many residents and local organisations as possible.

All the necessary information -whether it’s about becoming a sponsor (Robinsons Brewery and sweatshop have already committed); volunteering to help on the day; or better still , taking part in the race - can be found on the Hatters Half Marathon website www.hattershalf. co.uk

The Co -op congratulates Neil Young on his appointment as manager and we look forward to speaking to him on behalf of the fans. We are confident that the supporters will recognise Neil’s qualities and get behind him in true County fashion.