Kirkcudbright Academy Half Marathon makes its long-awaited return this weekend.
The race is being held for the 37th time after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Hundreds of runners are set to test themselves over the 13.1 mile route, as well as a 10k, with plenty of walkers also set to tackle the course.
Race director Richard Nash is delighted at how many people are set to take part.
He said: “We have taken some Covid mitigations in terms of how we organise the race and do entries.
“We’ve done online entries only. The biggest fear is you wouldn’t get the numbers you might expect because quite a few people like to book on the day and see what the weather is going to do.
“It’s actually turned out really well and one thing that took me by surprise was we have more walker entries than I’ve seen for a long time. We’ve got more walkers than we have people in the 10k.
“Across all three races we have more than 250 entries. In the last 11 days it really picked up. I think people have seen the long-range weather forecast and felt they can run it.”
The fun begins at 9am on Saturday with the walkers set on their way. The half marathon and the 10k will begin at 11am.
There is no children’s fun run this year and no entries on the day for any event.
Among the 10k runners is Chaz Kinnear who took part in the first half marathon in 1983. Runners will start at Kirkcudbright Academy and complete a lap of the town – including a run on St Mary’s Isle – then head out on the Beeches road to Twynholm.
After a run around the village, it’s back south towards Kirkcudbright – enjoying the fantastic scenery of the Solway Estuary and Kirkcudbright Bay.
There’s then another short run through Kirkcudbright before the finish line at the school. The 2019 race is the only previous event to have been held on the current route.
It was won by Kirkintilloch Olympians runner Euan Craig in 82 minutes 58 seconds, Dalbeattie Hoodlums runner Donna Burns winning the ladies section in 94 minutes 28 seconds.
Richard added: “When we changed the route in 2019 we got a 10- year certificate for a measured route which means anybody who runs it can have their time recognised by UK Athletics or Scottish Athletics as a qualifying time. We’re keeping it exactly the same as 2019.”
Volunteers are still needed to help on the day and anyone interested can email richard.m.nash@btinternet.com lizziekettle@hotmail.com.
Winners this year will receive a fantastic print of the route, above, by Borgue artist Annie Butler.
The race is organised by Kirkcudbright Academy Parent Council to help raise funds for the school.
Those not running can enjoy music on the new Harbour Square stage from school bands and the choir between 11am and 2pm, with the Ukefrolics also performing.
There will be no stalls this year but offerings of tray bakes and other tasty goodies to sell on the day will be gratefully received and should be dropped off at the academy office by 3.30pm on Friday.
It is hoped the stalls will return for the 40th anniversary next year with race directors Richard and Liz Kettle looking for people to help take the event forward.
Supersave, the Co-op and Tesco providing water and fruit for those taking part with Corsons providing 100 sausage rolls. Thanks go to them as well as Annie’s Aiders, Douglas Swan and Sons, Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities and Kirkcudbright Rotary Club.
