The Great Yorkshire Run is to move from Sheffield to the scenic spa town of Harrogate.

The Great Yorkshire Run is to celebrate its tenth anniversary in a new location for 2016.

The 10km run will this year take place in the scenic spa town of Harrogate on Sunday July 24, making the move from Sheffield where the event had been staged every year since 2007.

Organisers The Great Run Company have partnered with famous local brewer T&R Theakston who will be sponsoring the event for the next three years. Theakston is one of the country’s best known family-run brewing companies and is famed for its Old Peculier ale.

Runners will have the chance to take in some breathtaking views of North Yorkshire on the 10km course.

The 6.2mile route starts and finishes on Montpellier Hill in the Montpellier Quarter of the North Yorkshire town, home to exclusive shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.

The two-lap route takes runners around some of the stunning landscapes of the town. Starting on Montpellier Hill the route heads out on a short lap, turning up Valley Drive and then on to Cold Bath Road, towards the Stray, before heading back down Montpellier Hill via Otley Road.

The second lap plots a course through Valley Gardens, turning onto Harlow Moor Road and into the bridle path towards RHS Harlow Carr, eventually turning back into Pinewoods along the footpath back onto Harlow Moor Road before heading down Harlow Moor Drive and out onto Cold Bath Road, following the same route back towards Montpellier Hill as the first lap.

Harrogate Harriers’ chairman Tony Essex is excited about the new location for the Great Yorkshire Run.

“Our partnership with The Great Run Company will take the event to another level,” he said.

“It will be fantastic to see the runners on the Stray, through the Valley Gardens and on the streets past the iconic landmarks of the town.

“Eighteen months ago the town turned out in their thousands to watch the finish of the first stage of The Tour de France and I am sure this event could cause similar excitement.

“I am hoping the Great Yorkshire Run – Harrogate in association with Theakston and the partnership with the Great Run Company will raise the profile of athletics and running in the area and Harrogate Harriers in particular.”

Great Run Company chief executive Mark Hollinshead said: “Harrogate represents all that is great about Yorkshire so it’s totally fitting that the Great Yorkshire Run moves to this world famous town to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the event.

“We are especially pleased to have engaged the support of Theakston, who have such a rich affinity with Yorkshire, and we are excited for the future of the Great Yorkshire Run in Harrogate.”

For further information and to enter the Great Yorkshire Run – Harrogate in association with Theakston, visit greatrun.org.
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