UK-based running events organiser RunThrough has announced the successful entrants from the third and penultimate ballot wave for the Warrington Running Festival. This is billed as a world-first event that offers participants the chance to take part in a closed road, chip timed event for free.
The Warrington Running Festival in north west England will take place on September 24, 2023. Starting at the picturesque Warrington Town Hall runners will pass under the Golden Gates before pounding the streets.
This latest announcement brings the total number of successful ballot entrants to 3,500. The remaining 2,500 places are to be allocated in the final wave that is open now and will be announced on July 31.
The free run festival includes a 10km, half marathon and kids race, all on closed roads with official chip timing. RunThrough notes that there have already been upwards of 20,000 entries to the ballot.
RunThrough holds 215 events with 200,000 individual runners entering an event this year. The Warrington Running Festival is also supported by the RunThrough Foundation and Warrington Borough Council.
The aim of the event is to increase run participation and provide opportunities to access sport in light of the physical, mental and social health benefits it brings. Furthermore, a minimum of 20% of places (6,000 runner capacity) are being prioritised for individuals from low-income areas within Warrington.
Warrington native Ben Green, Co-Founder and Director of RunThrough Events, said “It is brilliant for me to be able to bring this first of its kind event to my home town of Warrington.
“Having personally seen the massive health and social benefits of running both for myself and for so many runners who have taken part in our events, to know that we are working to further action this in Warrington fills me with immense pride.”
He continued “Running is one of the easiest sports to take up, all you need is a pair of trainers. However, the cost of entering an official event is certainly still a barrier to some, hence the creation of this free event with prioritised places for those from disadvantaged areas.”
www.warringtonrunningfestival.com
www.runthrough.co.uk
