Participants signing up thick and fast for September’s Half Marathon event

WHEN the date of an important event draws near it is then that the organiser of said event starts to get twitchy if the numbers signing up to take part start looking on the low side.

If entries at first were somewhat slower than previous years, no such worry exists now for Race Director John Giles as he plans meticulously for Stockport County Supporters Cooperative’s flagship event ‘Hatters Half Marathon’ on Sunday 2 September – numbers are very much on the up!

There’s just under two months now to race day and the race has just gone past 200 runners in record time, with 25 signing up in a two day period last week.

It is just £18 to enter for affiliated runners, and £20 for unaffiliated, so to enter go to

https://www. runbritain.com/entries/ EnterRace.aspx?evid= 7abb0ccb5e6c&erid =79b40bcb5e63

Amongst those energetic souls who have signed up to run on Sunday 2 September, is Matthew White.

Matthew is better known for his work organising matters at Offerton Cricket Club than for his athletic exploits , but he has bravely stepped forward to run the race raising money for the Cooperatives Guardian Account.

With less than two months to go Matthew gave the Stockport Express his second training update :‘When attempting a half marathon for the first time, it is important to plan your training schedule carefully. Like all plans, however, you are at the mercy of unexpected events.

The first setback I received was a bruised knee and gashed foot. I