All-new Sleaford Half-Marathon comes home

The race has been a popular fixture in the calendar for runners preparing for spring marathons, but has shifted from its traditional February date to Sunday, May 7.

Race organisers, the Sleaford Striders, also decided to bring the race back home after a successful decade of hosting the event at RAF Cranwell.

It will be based at Eslaforde Park, on Boston Road, home to both the Striders and Sleaford Town FC, but despite the changes, more than 150 runners have already signed up. The race limit is 700.

Organiser Matt Lennard explained: “We have been lucky to use Cranwell for more than 10 years, but with the understandable increase in security concerns over that time it has become progressively difficult to gain permission to use the site, and for us to have the certainty that the race would be able to go ahead.

“Once we decided on the change of venue, it seemed the obvious thing to do was to bring the half-marathon back to Sleaford for the first time in many years.

“Having looked at a number of options for new routes, it was decided the only viable venue was Eslaforde Park and with the support of the Sleaford Sports Association, who manage the venue, the new date was selected.”

The new flatter route takes in villages to the east of the town including Kirby La Thorpe, Evedon and Ewerby, and the event will also feature a 3km family fun run.

Matt added: “We are very grateful to Adrian Whitehead, farm manager of Haverholme Park Farm, for permission to use their farm track between Evedon and Ewerby as part of the route.

“Thanks also go to The Lincolnshire Runner and the Lincolnshire Co-op, who will supply water for the race, for their continued support.”

All finishers will receive a race T-shirt and a medal with entry priced at £20, or £5 for the fun run.

* For more details and to enter, visit www.sleafordhalf.com and if you would like to become a sponsor, email [email protected]