Take part in one of the toughest half marathons in the UK

Oldham’s Halloween Half Marathon takes place this Sunday

Oldham’s Halloween Half Marathon, one of the toughest 13.1 mile races in the UK, is returning this weekend.

Taking place on Sunday (October 27), this event offers a rewarding challenge for any runner, with its hilly course guaranteed to get your heart racing and blood pumping.

Whether you are looking for a new running challenge, you want to raise money for charity, or you’re looking to compete just for fun, anyone aged 17 and over can now sign-up to take part on Oldham Community Leisure’s website.  

Entry fees start from £31, with local running groups and clubs able to enter for just £29.

Runners will begin with this year’s half marathon in the centre of Oldham, before taking a steady incline up to Grains Bar, where at a whopping 340 metres above sea level, the course reaches its infamous peak. 

From here, keen runners will enjoy breath-taking views of the Saddleworth countryside as they make their way through Delph, Dobcross and Uppermill, before heading on to Grasscroft and Lydgate to begin their return leg. 

With one last push through Lees and Glodwick, runners return to Oldham town centre, where they will be greeted by the crowds as they cross the finish line.

Stuart Lockwood, Chief Executive of Oldham Community Leisure, said: "We're thrilled to welcome the return of the popular half marathon back to Oldham for another year.

“The course remains as challenging as ever, even for the most seasoned runners, but it's an unforgettable experience for everyone who takes part - one of the reasons this event has been so popular over the years.

I invite you all to join me this year - it’s set to be a fantastic event for the whole town."

The half marathon has been running in Oldham since 2012 and pulls in hundreds of runners from local charities, businesses, running clubs and residents, with hundreds of residents lined up across the streets of Oldham ready to cheer on each competitor. 

For more information about the race, or to secure your place, visit: https://oclactive.co.uk/halloween-half/

Entry closes on Friday (October 25).

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