Runners are racing to sign up for the Milton Keynes Marathon with organisers preparing for their biggest event yet when it returns for its sixth year on Monday May 1, as one of the flagship events of the MK50 celebrations.
Entries are already up 25% on previous years with the number of runners predicted to reach 10,000 across the five events which make up the Marathon Weekend.
Runners can sign up for the full marathon, half marathon, MK Marathon Relay or the Superhero Fun Run.
There’s also the return of the Rocket 5K race which takes place the day before the main event – a fast, downhill 5Km run between CMK and Stadium MK.
Event director Andy Hully said: “We’re very excited that so many runners want to join us in celebrating MK50 by running through some of the most beautiful parts of Milton Keynes. This is a great opportunity to showcase what an amazing place this is with a fantastic, flatter course and of course, the famous stadium finish. It’s no surprise that so many of last year’s runners have already signed up for 2017.”
Milton Keynes Marathon is ideal for first timers wanting to enjoy the scenery on a mostly flat course, or serious runners looking for a fast time on an official AIMS/IAAF Grade A certified marathon distance.
The new route which debuted last year was designed to pass through the most picturesque parts of the new city and takes in the countryside and parks of the Ousel Valley, Bradwell Abbey, Woolstone and Milton Keynes Village as well as landmarks such as the Peace Pagoda at Willen Lake and of course, the concrete cows.
Runners will have the chance to run alongside local celebrities too, with Olympian Gail Emms and BBC radio presenter Jo Whiley among the runners who have already registered to take part.
After being cheered across the finish line in Stadium MK, runners will be celebrating with a set of exciting new medal designs incorporating the MK50 logo and a finishers’ T Shirts which will also be MK50 branded so it’s a great opportunity to do something memorable to celebrate the city’s birthday and take on a personal challenge.
As well as consistently being ranked in the Top Ten of UK marathon events, Milton Keynes Marathon is also one of the best organised, with British Association Road Race Gold accreditation for outstanding race management.
Even details like bag collection are taken care of with the local Scouts waiting as runners leave the track, ready to call out race numbers and run back with their belongings.
There’s plenty of fun in store to keep everyone entertained with a brand new Family Zone featuring a live DJ, music and entertainment plus inflatables, a climbing wall, bungee trampolines, bumper cars and mini-landrovers.
A host of local and national charities are set to benefit from Milton Keynes Marathon with runners raising funds for Gold charity partners Macmillan Cancer Support and Harry’s Rainbow plus other good causes including the Henry Allen Trust, MK Dons SET, MK Hospital charity, Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, MK Gallery, Thomas Cook Children’s Charity, St Francis Children’s Society, MacIntyre and MedicAlert.
New for 2017 is a partnership with Brioche Pasquier’s new production facility in MK who are providing 10,000 brioche buns for finishers.
Other local businesses supporting the event include Marathon Relay sponsor BMI The Saxon Clinic, Subway, APLE, Murrays and Jeanius Consulting.
Local residents can view an interactive map online to see which roads will be closed off for the event and where to cheer on the runners as they pass.
To sign up to take part click here
