Hundreds of runners to take part in inaugural Halifax Urban Trail

The organisers of the event, being held on the morning of Easter Monday to help raise funds for Overgate Hospice, claim that the race is the first time that the popular French idea of ‘trails urbains’ is being staged in Britain.

As in France, the race route will actually go inside town centre buildings. On the route are Halifax Minster, the Piece Hall, Halifax Town Hall and Dean Clough art gallery.

Race director Andrew Bibby said: “The idea of an urban trail like this has obviously completely captured people’s imaginations, and we’ve been blown away by the response we’ve received. We’re looking forward to a really special bank holiday event in the town which will show off everything that Halifax has to offer and of course raise much needed funds for Overgate.”

The event, which will begin in Shibden Park at 9.30am, has been more than a year in the planning.

“Not everyone might be expected to agree to have 500 sweaty runners running through their buildings, but without exception we’ve had nothing but support and co-operation,” Andrew said.

Sixty marshals, including members of Halifax Rotary Club and Piece Hall volunteers, will be positioned along the route to ensure runners’ safety.

Friends and family of those taking part will be able to watch the event unfold at various locations, including the Piece Hall where runners will run along one of the balconies. The organisers hope that neighbours along the route, which includes streets near Bank Top Southowram, and near Akroyd Park and Claremount Road in Halifax, will come out to cheer on the competitors.

With the race now officially full, a waiting list is being compiled for runners who have left it late to get in their entries. A small number of withdrawals due to injury are anticipated, so there is perhaps still time for latecomers to be able to get places.

Full details of the event are at https://halifaxurbantrail.org.uk.