2024 Bury Running Festival now on sale

Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, in partnership with Bury Council, have today announced that entries are open for the return of one of the region’s most highly anticipated and popular charity road running events, the Bury Running Festival.

Returning to Bury’s sporting calendar on Sunday 15^th September, thousands of inspiring and seasonal runners alike are expected to take part in the Bury 10K and Bury Mini and Junior runs sponsored by Xerox.  

The Bury Running Festival has the local community at its core and is perfect for new and experienced runners, and those who are hoping to generate a tremendous boost for a number of local and national charities.

Any charities interested in becoming an Official Charity Partner – whether involved previously or not – are encouraged to contact Run For All as soon as possible.

To launch next year’s event, members of Ramsbottom Running Club, Clarence Runners and The Sunnywood Project came together at Kirklees Trail to promote the benefits of running.

Nick Whitley from Clarence Runners said: “All you need is a pair of trainers, meet up with people and experience the great outdoors, experience that sense of community and get fit at the same time.”

Ramsbottom Running Club’s Jane Emanuel added: “There are absolutely loads of local running clubs around and there is something on nearly every night of the week.

“There are so many opportunities where you can run or you can walk. It’s all really inclusive, so nobody should be afraid to have a go.”

The Bury 10K will start and finish outside the Rock Shopping Centre, with the 10K route taking runners along Tottington Road and Bury Road, before heading onto the Kirklees Trail. The course will then loop back towards the town centre, before runners cross the finish line back outside The Rock.

A great event for runners and spectators alike, this scenic route promises to attract huge crowds of supporters as the town centre meets the picturesque countryside.

Building on its previous organisation of the event, Run For All, the UK’s largest not-for-profit event organisation, are working on increasing community and charity engagement, while also working to remove barriers to participation for the event, so that more people in the region can enjoy the benefits of getting active.

The Bury Mini and Junior runs, sponsored by Xerox, will also be returning on the same day. Both events are open to anyone aged three years plus; offering a perfect opportunity for families and friends to stay active and healthy together.

The Mini 1.5km course is open to children aged between 3 – 8 and the Junior 2.5km course caters for children aged between 9 – 15. Participants are invited to wheel, walk, jog and run as organisers work to make the even accessible to all abilities.

The Bury Mini & Junior events forms a vital part of Xerox’s wider aims to support key community-based initiatives. 

Run for All and Xerox are encouraging children of all backgrounds and abilities to take part in the Mini & Junior, including those with disabilities and any other special considerations.

As part of its sponsorship of the events, Xerox is looking to increase participation by offering 150 free entries to local schools in Bury, and is encouraging schools to get in contact with Run For All directly to redeem these entries. 

Tristan Batley-Kyle, Director of Operations at Run for All said: “We are delighted to open entries for the 2024 Bury Running Festival.

“The Bury Running Festival is a great way for families and friends of all ages and abilities to stay active and healthy together, while also providing a great opportunity for participants to fundraise for one of the event’s charity partners or charity close to their heart. 

“As always, it will be our mission to facilitate an event that removes barriers to participation and we hope to inspire people to join us for a great day of running, regardless of age, ability or reason for taking part.”

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Deputy Leader of the Council Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Health & Well-Being of Bury Council said: “This is our eighth year hosting the Bury Running Festival. We have a great partnership with Run for All, and we echo their values that no matter your age, ability or Background our event is for all. We have a great running community in Bury who can support local of all ages residents to move more so join us at the start line for on the 15^th September to make this year’s event bigger and better.

“I myself have supported the event over the past few years and this has helped me physically keep fit.”

The Bury Running Festival is supported by Bury Council, The Rock, High 5, Arla Protein, Coopah, Shokz, Up and Running, Gradwell, Marathon Photos Live and BBC Radio Manchester.

BBC Radio Manchester are the media partner for the event and will be broadcasting live from the start and finish line.