RACE organisers are determined that Bolton Marathon will be back this year after a 33 year absence — albeit in a different format.

The decision was made this week to postpone the ‘formal’ race — after cancelling it last year — as the country continues to battle coronavirus So instead organisers have said that those signed up to take part will be able to take part and run the course between May 1 and July 31.

They can complete the official 26-mile course in one go or up to four runs of approximately 10km each.

Organisers say that this means those gearing up for the race, which should have been held in May, can continue their training, raise money for their chosen charities — and ultimately complete the challenging route in spring and summer.

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Race director Richard Smith said: “We are determined that the Bolton Marathon will go ahead in some form this year as people have been looking forward to taking part and have been training hard.

“We hope that the chance to run what is a tough course will give runners the motivation to carry on training and to finally experience the Bolton Marathon.

The continuing Covid-19 lockdown and uncertainty over future restrictions has meant that the mass participation event, with crowds along the route, as it was planned on Sunday, May 16, has had to be postponed for a second time.

Richard added: “It is the sensible course of action given the circumstances.

“We have spoken privately to some entrants and they have told us that they are definitely going to press ahead and take up the challenge to complete the course.”

Around 1,300 people have entered the marathon and a 10k race connected to the weekend event.

Runners will need to prove that they have completed the course in one go by recording their race on a GPS tracker.

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Everyone who completes the race will receive a finisher’s medal and T shirt. They will also be offered a discount to enter the marathon in May 2022.

The route starts and finishes in Queens Park in Bolton town centre and runs in a loop around Bolton, including communities such as Smithills, Sharples, Bromley Cross, Harwood, Darcy Lever, Little Lever and Farnworth.

Everyone who completes the course get an automatic discount to the full-scale Bolton Marathon planned for May 2022.

Alternatively, entrants who do not wish to run the event ‘virtually’ must inform the organisers before April 30.

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