Live racing returns for athletes - and harbourside location should be stunning

A five-mile race will take place at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, giving runners the chance to get their competitive juices flowing again following the coronavirus shutdown.

It comes after England Athletics issued new guidance and gave the green light to live races.

The race is the first test event organisers Nice Work will be holding under the new Covid-safe guidelines - and a number of new procedures will be in place.

They include runners setting off in pre-booked five-minute slots from 5.30-7pm, with a maximum of 12 runners per slot.

A sterile area will be in place around the start line with no access to anybody other than participants and race officials.

There will be no changing or baggage storage facilities, and no water stations on the course - runners are encouraged to bring their own - although water, in sealed bottles, will be available from an unmanned table at the finish.

Medals will not be awarded at the finish, but can be sent out to runners afterwards if they wish. Social distancing must be maintained at all times and runners are asked to make regular use of the available hand sanitiser.

Spectators are not encouraged to attend but, if they must do so, they should not congregate around the start and finish areas.

On-the-day entries will be available, subject to the race limit not being reached. Payment should be made using a contactless card.

Today is the original date for race two of the Rye Summer Classic Series, which was due to be a 10k affair.

Entries made for that event will be valid for this one or they can be deferred to a future race.

The change in race distance is due to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve undergoing major construction work for a new Visitor Centre.

The race is the first of five in the South East announced by Nice Work as live events begin to resume. The next two are the Rye 10 & 5 Mile on Sunday August 23 and the Rye Harbour 5K on Friday September 4.

Nice Work also plans to keep its virtual race programme - which has proven very popular since the easing of lockdown restrictions - running for the foreseeable future.

The specialist race management company organises more than 200 races across the UK each year. For more information, visit https://www.nice-work.org.uk/