A POPULAR road race will take place in its current form for the final time this weekend.

The Big 10 Miler, organised by Run Northumberland, has been an ever present for the past five years.

Starting and finishing at Kirkley Hall near Ponteland, it takes competitors on a circular route through the villages of Ogle and Whalton, and surrounding countryside.

It will take place as usual on Sunday from 9.45am.

But Run Northumberland’s Richard Hunter said that the event, which has almost doubled in size since it was established in 2014, will move to a different location in 2020.

He explained: “We are grateful to Kirkley Hall for their support over the past few years, but the run has just outgrown the venue. It now attracts around 400 runners.

“There’s a lot of infrastructure to take into consideration, and we’re now exploring possibilities for a new base and a new route.”

The current Big 10 Miler route is an undulating one, and Richard is hoping for good weather and a bit of sunshine for runners, who will travel from across the North-East and beyond.

He added: “Entries are now coming in at a steady rate, and this is a good opportunity for people to take on this particular route for the final time.

“But it’s not ending here. The process of finding somewhere new for next year’s Big 10 Miler is an exciting one.”

The Big 10 Miler is open to club runners, and also those who are not attached to a running club.

For entry information and further details visit https://runnation.co.uk/r/run-northumberland-big-10-miler-2019