The Great Northampton Run: Revamped half-marathon to celebrate town's heritage and sport
Tickets for the new event, which takes place in September, go on sale today
“The big thing for us to celebrate what Northampton has got.”
Simon Hollis is so keen to promote what’s great about his home town that he’s put the word in the name of his newest race.
Simon is the man behind the all new Great Northampton Run, which will take place for the first time this year on Sunday, September 17.
Since this article was written, this race has been rebranded as the ‘Amazing Northampton Run’
The event, which supersedes the Northampton Half, will be a closed-road half-marathon starting in the town’s historic Market Square.
The aim is for runners to take in Northampton’s heritage and history. The town dates back to 1100, with famous sites including All Saints’ Church - built after the Great Fire of Northampton and consecrated in 1680, the Grade II listed Guildhall, and the Market Square itself, dating back to 1235.
The new route will also take in the town’s three main sporting grounds – the football stadium at Sixfields, rugby at Franklin’s Gardens and cricket at The County Ground.
Northampton is one of the few town’s in the country to host professional teams in all three of those sports.
Northampton Town currently compete in the Football League Division Two, Northampton Saints play in the Gallagher Premiership, while Northamptonshire County Cricket Club has just enjoyed one of the best seasons in its history in the County Championship Division One.
Running Tales’ very own Michelle Lewis, who works as a fitness instructor and running coach at Step Forward With Lewis, will lead a warm-up at the start of the race.
More on Running Tales
Simon, who is the owner of Go Beyond Challenge which runs a number of events across the county and previously put on the Northampton Half, spoke to Running Tales yesterday (Sunday, January 21) at Northampton Saint’s Franklin’s Gardens home, which is going to be one of the relay changing points for the race.
He said: “We’ve got a closed roads town centre loop, taking in the three main sporting stadiums and some great heritage.
“We are going through the parks, along the river, through the university and back into the town.”
Speaking to the Running Tales Podcast in October last year, he explained why he decided to completely revamp The Northampton Half Marathon, which has taken place since 2013.
“We’re super excited,” he said. “We’re engaging with the community and also loads and loads of running clubs.
“We’re using a very, very small amount of the existing route. It’s going to be a total town centre route and the big thing for us is to celebrate what Northampton has got.
“The previous route has been ok, but everyone moans about Brackmills and everyone moans about the hill up to Great Houghton.
“All of that will be gone and a new course will come into play.
“We just need support really because it is not without risks, but its about time for Northampton that we do something special.”
As well as the half marathon event, The Great Northampton Run will hold a relay event, in which teams of three will be able to complete with runners completing either 4.1 miles, 4.4 miles or 4.6 miles.
A shorter, three mile event will also take place, starting 15 minutes after the half marathon runners have set off.
Enter The Great Northampton Run
Early bird entries for the event are currently available, with the first 100 places to go on sale at a reduced cost of £30.
The following 100 places to be sold at £32.50, before entry costs increase.
Entry will then be charged at £35 for the half marathon (£33 affiliated), £54 for the team relay and £15 for the three mile event.
All runners will receive a bespoke event medal and t-shirt.
The Northampton Half Marathon event was historically popular with charity runners, having raised more than £45,000 back in 2019.
Runners can ‘Race for Free’ at this year’s Great Northampton Run by raising £100 - or £160 for a team - for one of the event’s 28 charity partners in return for a complimentary race entry.
For more information and to enter visit: www.thegreatnorthamptonrun.co.uk
People can also call 07989 850170 or email admin@gobeyondchallenge.co.uk to learn more.