This weekend’s Trafford 10k has received a record breaking number of entries after the admission deadline closed on Tuesday (March 4).
A grand total of 994 athletes have signed up to the event, the most the race has received in its history.
The flat and fast course has attracted a desirable line-up, too. In the men’s race, last years winner Richard Weir will have stiff competition in the form of 2012 Olympian Nick McCormick who boasts a solid best of 29 minutes and 16 seconds.
On paper, just over 30 seconds separate the top five contenders with Luke Gunn (30.20), Matthew Hynes (29.23) and Tesfaye Debele (30.09) also expected to be in the mix.
The women’s start list is equally impressive, too. Last years winner and current course record holder Non Stanford will line-up to defend her title against 2012 victor Elle Vernon.
Stanford will also be challenged by fellow triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown. The 19-year-old made her 10k debut at the Ribble Valley meet in December, 2013, with a 33 minute and 34 second clocking.
Also hoping to claim pole position on Sunday will be Olympians Helen Clitheroe and Ava Hutchinson, alongside Katie Brough (34.03), Sonia Samuels (33.24) and Laura Whittle (32.46).
“This is the strongest line-up we have had at the event,” Dave Norman, the event organiser, spoke.
“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, too, 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.”
