THE threat hanging over one of the region's most gruelling sporting events has been lifted.

With less than a week to go before the closing date for applications for the annual Lyke Wake Race, across the North York Moors, organisers say it is definitely going ahead.

There had been major concerns about the lack of interest being shown in the event by potential competitors this year.

At the end of May, only six people had entered and, because of the cost of staging the 42-mile race, its cancellation had been looking increasingly likely.

It would have been only the second time in the race's 39-year history it had been cancelled, the first being in 2001 when foot-and-mouth was raging across the countryside.

However, 25 applications have now been received, with competitors coming from as far away as Brighton, Lowestoft, Leeds and Newcastle.

Of those, eight are veterans aged over 55, with the oldest being regular Brian Golding, a 75-year-old from Osmotherley, in North Yorkshire.

The average entry for the race over the past ten years has been 77, and they are looked after by 60 or more communications people, caterers and marshals, based at nine checkpoints scattered across the moors.

The event is open to walkers, harriers and fell runners who are capable of completing the marathon-and-a-half of tough moorland terrain in less than 12 hours.

The race is due to be held on Saturday, July 12, and the closing date for entries is this weekend.

Application forms are available by sending a stamped, addressed envelope to the Lyke Wake Club, PO Box 24, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 3HZ. The entry fee is £8.