ORGANISERS are gearing up to host the annual Thirsk ten-mile run and wheelchair race this spring.

The popular event has been running for around four decades and previously attracted big names including former long distance runner and Great North Run founder Brendan Foster and Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson.

This year’s run takes place on March 19, with the main event starting at 11am following the wheelchair race at 10.50am and an off-road fun run that covers around two-miles from 10am.

All races start from Thirsk Racecourse and the ten-mile route is a loop travelling up Newsham Road and taking in Sandhutton and Carlton Miniott.

There are already 800 runners signed up but organisers expect there will be more than 1,000 taking part on the day.

There is a £200 prize for the first man and woman to finsh and a bonus £100 to anyone who breaks the recent records of 48.45 minutes for men and 57.10 for women.

It costs club runners £16 to enter, £18 for unattached runners and registration on the day is £2 more.

In its early incarnation the run used to travel from Northallerton to Thirsk but the route was changed to avoid the Northallerton railway crossing.

To register in advance, or for more information, visit www.thirskandsowerbyharriers.co.uk