“It was showing Halifax at its very best”: First Halifax Urban Trail hailed a success as hundreds run through historic landmarks
Halifax’s first urban trail has been praised by participants after nearly 500 ran through some of the town’s most iconic landmarks on Monday (April 6).
Thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, the race concept was modelled off the ‘trails urbains’ which take place regularly in France, and raised money for Overgate Hospice.
Starting at Shibden Park, the 10k route took the runners through venues including Halifax Town Hall, Dean Clough, The Piece Hall and Halifax Minster, with people from across the country participating, including from Yorkshire, the North West, and the South.
Race director Andrew Bibby said the team was “delighted with the way it went,” adding they were “enormously grateful” to the 70 or so volunteers who gave up their time on a bank holiday morning, as well as the venues and Calderdale Council, which enabled them to stage the event.
Mr Bibby said: “It was showing Halifax at its very best — we have got a town here we can be really proud of.
“It did feel like one event where so many different organisations and so many different people were pulling together to make this memorable.”
Mr Bibby said he has since been “swamped” with messages of praise for the event, with participants saying it was an “amazing experience.”
Asked whether there would be another event next year, Mr Bibby said although no formal arrangements have been made yet, people will have to “wait and find out.”
“We are going to take on board all the feedback and all the comments,” he added.