The Trafford 10k is always a March highlight on the British racing calendar, and this year is no exception, with a host of world class athletes, set to take their place on the start line.
The popular event is one of many superb races hosted in Manchester, and athletes from all around the country will be flocking to try and post a PB, on a flat and fast course.
This year, 2012 Olympian Nick McCormick will take centre stage for the men, along with last year’s winner Richard Weir, Luke Gunn, Matty Hynes and teenager Tesfaye Debele, in what looks to be a tight contest. Due to his recent indoor heroics, Jonny Mellor now looks unlikely to feature, with a trip to the World Indoors surely sealed.
The Women’s race proves to hold the most decorated athletes of the day, as World Triathlon Champion Non Stanford steps up, to retain her 2013 Trafford crown. Contenders such as European Junior Triathlon Champion Georgia Taylor-Brown, will be hoping to make it a tough day for the favourite, after finding scintillating form over the cross country and road this winter. Other big names such as, El Vernon, Olympians Helen Clitheroe and Ava Hutchinson, Sonia Samuels and Louise Damen will all be looking to cause an upset, as the course record which was last year set by Stanford, could be under threat.
The Trafford 10k hasn’t always been this prolific, and was nearly scrapped entirely in 1999 by the council. From then on, the event was handed to Dave Norman, a well-known face on the UK road circuit.
Norman said; “When they announced they were going to stop putting the race on, my club looked into the possibility of taking over the organisation of the race, and I somehow ended up as race director.”
“This event is special to me, because I’ve seen it grow from the small race it was when I took over, to being one of the best 10k races in the country. It’s special to the serious runners, because they know it’s a great opportunity to come and run a fast time, because the course is so fast and there’s always a strong field.”
Despite miserable conditions last year, over 740 runners completed the run, ranging from seasoned athletes to complete beginners.
“The race is popular with runners of all abilities, probably because it’s flat and the atmosphere is so laid back and friendly.”
Despite a clash with the Inter counties cross country in Birmingham, similar numbers are also expected to attend on the 9th March. It is still not too late to enter, entries will be accepted by following the link; https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2014/.
Watch highlights from the 2013 event here below.
