LONG distance runners need not be lonely in Tynedale next year.

For runners will have two rival 13.1 mile races to choose from in the district.

For when Tynedale Harrier Richard Hunter last week unveiled plans for the Tynedale Half Marathon along Tyne Green to Warden and Fourstones on May 14, fellow runner Greg Urwin was putting the finishing touches to a big race of his own on July 31.

Greg, a former national 800m champion from Barrasford, has spent a year arranging the Hexham Half Marathon, which has been approved by police and county authorities, with road closures already in place.

Sponsorship has been secured from Start Fitness and Lucozade sport, and Olympic athlete and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Hannah Miley will hopefully be acting as starter for the race, as well as signing autographs.

Almost 100 runners have already entered, even though the race does not take place for over a year.

He said this week: “As an athlete myself, I have entered hundreds of events and know that Northumberland hosts some great half marathons, such as that of the Kielder half marathon and Hadrian‘s Wall half marathon.

”However, there are also some rather disappointing events where runners share the roads with cars, vans , and the one thing you don’t want when you are running is having cars flying past you.

“To say the least it makes the event feel badly organised and unappealing.”

He said for the last year, he had been working creating a high class event where runners didn’t have to share the route with cars on roads, or cyclists and dog walkers in park paths.“

A number of possible routes had been examined, including the route chosen for the rival Tynedale event.

Greg said: ” We had looked at the Tynedale -Warden area but the roads were not capable of closures due to obvious outstanding difficulties, such as the train tracks passing through, and potentially disrupting the race.

“ Tyne Green is also not big enough to hold more than 100 runners, with dog walkers, cyclists and an open golf course.”

He also looked at Hexhamshire, but decided the hills involved were a bit too harsh on the runners.

So, after lengthy consultations with Northumberland County Council, highways officials, he opted for a route which starts and finishes on the near the Egger factory on the Anick road heading through Oakwood and to Acomb, towards Corbridge and back along to Hexham.

He said: ”It is a one loop race, which will be testing for the athletes. Runners lose focus on a race that goes forward and back, so we have sealed a solid route that offers everything a runner wants. including hills and outstanding views “

One pf the aims pf the event is to help local charities and good causes, from Tynedale Harriers to Hexham Youth Initiative

Greg said: ” I have been a local athlete for many years and made great contacts in the sport.

“I therefore thought it would be a great Idea to offer my home town a high class event and offer Tynedale Harriers, a club who has always helped me, a return favour.

”We would also like local companies to get involved, from barrier companies to sports shops. Not only do we help the local community but we have striven to make this big for the runners involved.

“Each runner will receive a medal, a goodie bag, and a free t-shirt and we have had almost 100 entries which is extremely positive considering it‘s over a year away.”

Greg paid tribute to the county council for its help and support, with all the necessary paper work being processed before any sort of publicity was made.

He said:“ After a year of hard work the event is really coming together and I am proud to be the founder of what could be a major event for Northumberland.

” I don’t look to stop here; I want to make the event progress every year with the potential for a Hexham Abbey finish line ,and fun runs for kids in the coming years.

“The event has been fully licensed, the distance certified and it’s going to be a great opportunity not only for Northumberland but any runner.

”The effort in achieving road closures is what separates this event from others in Northumberland and no expense has been avoided. This has been rewarded by receiving entries from all over the country.

” I don't look to stop here; I want to make the event progress every year with the potential for a Hexham Abbey finish line ,and fun runs for kids in the coming years. 

“The event has been fully licensed, the distance certified and it’s going to be a great opportunity not only for Northumberland but any runner. 

”The effort in achieving road closures is what separates this event from others in Northumberland and no expense has been avoided. This has been rewarded by receiving entries from all over the country.