On your marks for Battle Bonfire 10k race

THE THIRD annual bbb10k run will take place in Battle on Sunday - and organisers say it could be the biggest event to date.

At least 253 runners are expected on the starting line at 10am, whilst as many as 50 are expected sign up on the day itself.

The event, which was first held in 2009, is once again being organised by the Battel Bonfire Boyes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Simon Merrick, of the bbb10k team, said: “People can enter up until the last minute at £15 a time.

“Registration is available from 8.20am on the day.

“Likewise for the junior race.

“Normally for the juniors it’s £2.50, but on the day it’s £3.50 and they can register on the day.

“The signs are looking good that there may be more entries than last year and the year before.”

There will be a £50 prize up for grabs for any runner who can beat the course record of 33m33s, which was set last year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But those who aren’t so athletic could be in line for a consolation prize.

One entrant, who hails from Lymington in Hampshire, has put up a £25 prize for the winner who crosses the finish line closest to the one hour mark.

The event is also open to fun runners.

A maroon will be fired at 10am to signal the start of the race, followed by a second when the first runner crosses the finishing line, just over half an hour later.

The course remains the same as previous years and this year road closures will be staggered to help ease traffic congestion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Battle High Street, from the Abbey to the roundabout just before North Trade Road, will be closed between 9.20-9.40am for the junior race.

The road will be reopened for ten minutes to clear traffic before it is closed again at 9.50am for the main event.

The stretch of road between the North Trade Road roundabout and Powdermill Lane, which will include Upper and Lower Lake, will be closed until 10.15am.

Powdermill Lane itself will be closed to traffic at 10am.

Simon said: “We want to keep the road closures to a minimum so as not to inconvenience people.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Businesses and community groups have pulled together to help make the event a success.

Holland and Harper and Littlewoods Fencing are the main sponsors of the event, with Campbell Estate Agents, Alan Hunting Associates and Simply Italian also sponsoring the day.

Tesco Express, in Battle Hill, and Battle Scouts have provided drink stations.

Simon added: “We have probably over 50 marshals of which Battle Muffin Club have given us 15.

“They have done us proud.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Refreshments, including a burger bar and breakfast bar, will be available on the Abbey Green, with Sambalanca providing the music throughout the event.

The event will conclude when the mayor of Battle, Ron Harris, presents prizes to the race winners.

Simon said: “We are just keeping our fingers crossed for the weather.

“But at the end of the day, the runners will run whatever the weather and we just hope everyone enjoys themselves.”

For further information about the event, or if you would like to help out on the day, call Simon Merrick on 07976 254247.

Related topics: