Bury Running Festival goes virtual for 2021

Following the postponement of the event from 2020, Bury Council alongside partners Run For All have confirmed that the event will run virtually this year ahead of the festivals big return in September 2022.

The Asda Foundation Bury Running festival comprises the Bury 10K and, what was due to be, a new Bury 10 Mile event. Current entrants into the events, have today all been offered the chance to run the events virtually in 2021 for free as well as transfer their entry to the events new date of Sunday 18^th September 2022.

Whilst entrants may be disappointed that the events return to the streets of Bury will be delayed another year organisers are encouraging everyone to pull on their trainers and take part in this year’s exciting virtual challenge.

Whether you have done the 10K before, have only started running in lockdown or are part of a running club this virtual event is for everyone. The challenge will start on Wednesday 1^st September and entrants will have till the 30^th September to complete their chosen distance of either 10K or 10 miles.

The distance can be completed in one go or can be spread across the month making this an accessible event for everyone. Entrants can run, jog or walk the distance and with the event running virtually it is open to entrants of all ages.

Tristan Batley-Kyle, Head of Events at Run For All said: “We can’t wait to return to the streets of Bury and make 2022 our biggest year yet. We know people will be disappointed by the further postponement but we hope to turn the negative into a positive with the launch of the Bury Running Festival virtual challenge. We hope the introduction of the virtual event in 2021 will encourage everyone both locally and regionally to get out running and inspire them to join us in person in 2022.”

Entrants into the virtual challenge in 2021 will all receive a virtual challenge branded buff to celebrate their success.

Councillor Andrea Simpson , Bury Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “While it is disappointing, we cannot return in person this year, I hope runners from across the borough will embrace this virtual event ahead of a full return in 2022. I encourage all runners, walkers, joggers of any age and ability to take part and allow this to be a positive event after a very difficult year. We look forward to seeing everyone’s achievements virtually and very much look forward to seeing everyone in person in 2022.”

The Asda Foundation Bury Running Festival Virtual Challenge is open to everyone with entry fees from £10.