All set for this year's Great Grimsby 10k run - the fifth  in the series


THE countdown has begun for this year's Great Grimsby 10k run.

Sponsored by Danish energy giant  Ørsted and North East Lincolnshire Council, the event is scheduled for Sunday 19 July, starting  at 10am outside Grimsby Town Hall.

Last year saw more than 4,000 people sign up to the  race which brings the community together for local good causes.

This year’s event is set to be the greenest ever, as organisers Tape2Tape announce the race route will be completely plastic free, only using recyclable paper cups along the route.

Steps are again being taken to reduce the race’s environmental impact, including ditching plastic goodie bags for race finishers and paper free race information.

The Ørsted Great Grimsby 10k is much more than a road race - it raises thousands of pounds for charity and creates a wealth of volunteering opportunities.

Entries for 2020 will open on Friday 31 January at 6pm. People can sign up at www.greatgrimsby10k.com for just £17 or £15 for affiliated running club members.

Emma Toulson, lead stakeholder advisor at Ørsted, said: “Each year, we have seen the Ørsted Great Grimsby 10k grow into an event that really showcases the community spirit of the region.

“It’s a fantastic day for the whole family and we’d encourage everyone to come along, whether you’re taking part in the race or just going along to cheer on the runners.

“Grimsby is getting global attention now as a  hub for renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, so it’s great to see the efforts to make the Ørsted Great Grimsby 10k greener every year, reducing waste and the use of plastics. 

Nicola Pattison, race director of Tape2Tape, said: “We are delighted to be organising the fifth event which has vast become one of the biggest sporting events in the region.

“I’m Grimsby born and bred and very proud of what has been achieved and made possible by all of the fantastic support from local businesses, charities, community groups and the general public.

“We want to encourage as many people as we can this year to challenge themselves to enter either the 10k or the Fun Run.

“Let’s ‘Get Grimsby Going’ and achieve a level of fitness for people of all abilities. 

"Exercise has a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing, it increases confidence and often leads to new friends and a more varied social life, so if you have just been thinking about it, do it!

“There will be lots of support and advice in the coming months and we will also be putting a 10-week training plan out on social media and the race website starting around the beginning of May.

“But you don’t have to wait until then. Get your trainers on now and get moving.”

The race, now in its fifth year, welcomes experienced runners right through to those who have only dipped their toes in the water.

Everyone is encouraged to lace up their trainers, even if it’s just for the fun run.

As well as  support from spectators, runners can enjoy bands and entertainment along the route, as well as a finish-line festival, with a variety of food and entertainment.

There are 5,000 places up for grabs, making it one of the biggest town centre races in the region.

A £1 donation is made from every race entry into a fund shared between the event’s charity partners - Harbour Place, RNLI, Marie Curie, St Andrew’s Hospice, The Health Tree Foundation, North East Lincolnshire Mind and Team Verrico.

Last year’s Ørsted Great Grimsby 10K helped raise £18,500 directly for seven charities from race entries, fundraiser places and other initiatives.

St Hugh’s Hospital will once again be supporting the Family Fun Run that starts and finishes under the same arches as the main race.

Hundreds of volunteering opportunities are also created for local people making the Ørsted Great Grimsby 10K much more than a race. Volunteers are critical for this event, so if you want to join the race crew, email volunteers@tape2tape.co.uk or sign up at www.tape2tape.co.uk/volunteer.

All finishers will be  awarded a medal and  t-shirt.
Any local business who would like to support the event in some way to get in touch with nicola@tape2tape.co.uk.

You can follow the Ørsted Great Grimsby 10K using #GY10K on social media for news and race photos.