Oldham Half Marathon: getting ready

Oldham Half Marathon - Mill town To Moors Race, 9.30am, Sunday 15 October

The 2017 Oldham Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 15 October. This is the third consecutive year that the road run has been held and entries have grown strongly since it was first launched in 2015.

There are cash prizes for top-placed individuals and teams, and a special prize for anyone who can beat the current course record set by local Commonwealth runner Andi Jones.

Paddy Wolstenholme, fitness team leader at Oldham Community Leisure, said: “The Oldham Half Marathon has an especially challenging reputation because of its 1100 ft of ascents. It’s a serious proposition and represents a great challenge for runners.

“It also provides spectacular views of Pennine moors and valleys, along with towns and villages across the Oldham and Saddleworth area, which adjoins the Peak District National Park. It’s a great mix of urban and rural environments.”

The Oldham Half Marathon starts at 9.30am in Oldham town centre’s High Street then follows a route taking in Huddersfield Road, Moorside, Grains Bar, Delph, Greenfield, Grasscroft, Lydgate, Lees, Glodwick and then back into central Oldham.

There are cash prizes for individual men and women runners who come in first, second and third positions; for men and women teams who finish first, and for veterans. There are also T-shirts and medals for all runners.

The double cash prize will go to whoever can set a new course record currently held by Andi Jones at 1:09:52.2. Andi grew up in nearby Tameside and was formerly a teacher in Rochdale. He specialises in road, cross-country and fell running and has enjoyed many successes.