Running: Entries still open for Flintshire 10k

Oct 6 2011 by Alec Doyle, Flintshire Chronicle

THE Flintshire 10k is back on Sunday with new supporters in Nightingale House Hospice.

The charity has taken over the organisation of the popular event from Flintshire County Council, although the organising committee has not changed much.

The run, which has been shortlisted as a potential Welsh Championship race next year, begins on Wrexham Road in Mold Town Centre on Sunday, October 9 at noon.

There are 300 people already signed up including club runners from across Flintshire and North Wales but there are still places available online at www.nightingalehouse.co.uk. Alternatively the registration desk will be open on the day.

Entry is £10 for affiliated athletics club members and £12 for non-affiliated runners.

Among those already entered in the event, which celebrates its 16th year in 2011, are David Mountford, the Deeside distance runner fast making a name for himself in elite distance events.

He could renew his rivalry with reigning champion Ricky Challinor, a former Deeside AAC teammate of Mountford, who may decide to defend his title and make it a hat-trick of Flintshire 10k victories.

Race director Bryon Jones said the turnout was impressive, bearing in mind the competition for runners’ attention this weekend.

“We are up against both the Liverpool Marathon and the Chester Marathon,” he said.

“Those are two big events so to already have 300 people signed up is a real testament to the standing of the event.”

To open the race, which is affiliated to the Athletics Association, to as many people as possible, the organisers have not issued any special invites to elite runners.

But if 10k still seems like too much of a stretch or if there are younger runners for whom 10k is too far yet there will also be the traditional fun run, over a shorter three kilometre distance.

The ‘fun run’ will cost £4 to enter and there is no online entry.

If you would like to register prior to the event, email laura.parry@nightingalehouse.co.uk or call 01978 314292.

On the day, entries will open at 10.15am for the fun run and 11.15am for the main 10k run.

The fun run gets under way at 11am and the big one starts at noon.