Yorkshire Coast 10k returns after year off because of Covid
There are a few changes this year...
The Yorkshire Coast 10k returns to Scarborough's seafront today (Sunday 17th October), after a year off because of the pandemic.
It will see up to 2000 people running from Scarborough Spa, to the Sealife Centre and back from 10am.
The fun run gets underway from the Spa at 11.30am.
A number of measures are in place to ensure the event remains safe despite the pandemic, such as PPE for volunteers, and water bottles instead of cups.
Spectators are being asked to watch from the Scarborough seafront, instead of at the Spa, and volunteers are taking lateral flow tests.
Race director Alan Whelan added: "Being outdoors, as we all know, is safer than being indoors, with that number of individuals, so the Spa won't be open for runners and spectators to use indoors. Normally we have a hall and we're not going to be able to open that up to participants this year.
"It's only this week really this week that the excitement has started to build, with the reality that it is going to happen, we are going to be able to put on an event. The enthusiasm of the runners is coming through!"
There is an extra focus on sustainability this year, with a tree-planting agreement with the headline sponsor, McCains. At the end of the event, more than 4,500 will be planted in the UK.
Metal medals imported from abroad have been scrapped, instead being produced in the UK, which makes them recyclable. The race lead car will also be electric this year.
Scarborough road closures and logistics
The route starts and ends at the Scarborough Spa, with the Sealife Centre as the turning point for the 10k.
Roads between the two along the seafront are closed from 7.30am.
At 12.45pm, the South Bay Foreshore road will reopen, followed by the Spa approach road at 1pm.
The McCains Yorkshire Coast 10k race begins at 10am, with prize-giving at 11.15am at the Spa.
The 2.5km fun run, which can be entered on the day, for free if you're aged under 15, starts at 11.30am, with the 1.6km fun run at 11.50am.