Not only do we have a new route for 2019… this year’s race also includes a t’shirt for all 3 races, (5mile/Junior/Mini).

Designed by our own, exceptionally talented, Craig Thompson, to reflect the heritage of this historic event.

Not only do we have a new route for 2019… this year’s race also includes a t’shirt for all 3 races, (5mile/Junior/Mini).

Designed by our own, exceptionally talented, Craig Thompson, to reflect the heritage of this historic event.

This heritage race is expected to attract a record number of runners.

Prudhoe Town Council is expecting a record number of entries for this historic road race that celebrates Prudhoe’s rich mining heritage.

The Essity Prudhoe Miners 10k was resurrected in 2012 by the town council to mark the London Olympics and has grown in popularity to become a key event in the region’s athletics calendar.

Organised by Prudhoe Town Council with support from Essity – the town’s largest employer – last year’s event attracted more than 400 runners, and race co-ordinators Run Nation Events have had to alter the course slightly to cope with the increasing number of runners.

Prudhoe’s mayor, councillor Tracy Gilmore, said the revised route would take runners away from busy roads and make for a safer and more enjoyable event.

“Everyone in the town is astounded at how popular this race has become, both with families and fun-runners as well as elite athletes,” she said.

“The original miners race was a traditional sporting event dating back to the early 20th century. It came to an end in the wake of the Second World War, and was resurrected to mark the London 2012 Olympics.

“But, although there are no longer any working pits in the area, the event has gone from strength to strength and has helped to encourage hundreds of townsfolk to put on their running shoes.

“We have Prudhoe Riverside parkrun every Saturday morning, which attracts an average of 150 runners every week, and the junior parkrun on Sunday morning for children aged four-14.

“Our own England Athletics running club, the volunteer-led Prudhoe Plodders, now has over a hundred members but remains a friendly inclusive group where all abilities are welcomed – and their free couch to 5k initiative has seen over 100 local people start running.

“Local businesses are also getting involved, with optician Elizabeth Evans encouraging her staff and customers to sign up to celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s get-fit initiative with a Prudhoe Can Run group.”

Tissue manufacturer Essity, maker of leading brands Velvet and Cushelle, is sponsoring the race for the 7th year and Prudhoe mill manager George Placogiannakis said the company was delighted at the event’s success.

“When we first agreed to support it back in 2012, I don’t think any of us had any idea that it would be a catalyst for the entire town getting behind the concept of getting fit through running.

“We have continued to support grass-roots sport, with a donation to the setting up of the parkrun, but are particularly pleased at the family event the miners race has become – with youngsters able to take part in the Junior 3k Run for 11 to 16 year-olds and a 1.5k Mini Run for five to ten year-olds on a flat, traffic-free course at Tyne Riverside Country Park just behind our site.”

The Essity Prudhoe Miners Race takes place on Sunday 30th September. For entry details and information about the two junior runs go tohttps://runnation.co.uk/r/essityprudhoe10k2018

The Essity Prudhoe Miners race now has its own Facebook page.

Click HERE to visit.

Please enjoy the photographs taken by Bill and Moira Wooldridge (Community Photographers).

Thank you to all those who took part.

The Prudhoe Miners Race was once popular with members of the town’s working men’s clubs, but it eventually died out after the Second World War, only to be revived in 2012 by the Council to build on the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics and celebrate the town’s coal mining heritage.

Since its re-birth, SCA Prudhoe Mill, the town’s largest employer, has been a huge supporter of the event.

Councillor Jennifer McGee, a former Mayor of the town, and currently Chairman of the Council’s Events Sub-Committee, said: “Prudhoe Town Council is delighted to support the SCA Prudhoe Miners Race.  Along with our partners we are sure the race will grow bigger and better each year, and indeed will become the ‘Olympic legacy’ event  we were determined it should. The Council also hopes that the junior events will inspire young people to get involved, perhaps with the rest of the family, spreading the message that ‘running is fun – as well as healthy’.”

The Prudhoe Miners Race was once popular with members of the town’s working men’s clubs, but it eventually died out after the Second World War, only to be revived in 2012 by the Council to build on the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics and celebrate the town’s coal mining heritage.

Since its re-birth, SCA Prudhoe Mill, the town’s largest employer, has been a huge supporter of the event.

Councillor Jennifer McGee, a former Mayor of the town, and currently Chairman of the Council’s Events Sub-Committee, said: “Prudhoe Town Council is delighted to support the SCA Prudhoe Miners Race.  Along with our partners we are sure the race will grow bigger and better each year, and indeed will become the ‘Olympic legacy’ event  we were determined it should. The Council also hopes that the junior events will inspire young people to get involved, perhaps with the rest of the family, spreading the message that ‘running is fun – as well as healthy’.”

The 2013 Miners’ Race was run for a second consecutive year, this time on the morning of Sunday 22 September 2013, with 154 runners completing the course. The race distance was extended from 5 miles to 10 kilometres (6.25 miles). Starting at the Falcon pub, the race looped through the town centre, including the stiff climb of Beaumont Way, before returning through the start and down Eastwoods Road to Hagg Bank, then travelling west along the Tyne Riverside path to the finish close to Ovingham Bridge. Following the adult race, an excellent response from young runners meant that 54 started and completed the junior run (9-15 years), while the total for the 1.5 km mini-run (3-8 years) was 56! These races took place on the traffic-free Tyne Riverside path.

Prudhoe Town Council clerk, Richard Whinney, explains: “Last year, runners were put through their paces with a demanding five mile course which included a testing mile-long climb from West Mickley to High Mickley.  This year, the course for the adult race will be 10km (6.25 miles) long, making for a slightly longer race than in 2012, but mainly downhill or on the flat. We hope this will encourage regular or club runners to challenge themselves to achieve personal bests, while the easier terrain and fantastic views along the route will hopefully attract those new to the sport.”

Clive Bell, chair of the SCA charity committee, said: “The race is good for the town. There was a real buzz around last year’s event with many supporters lining the route encouraging participants and celebrating with them at the finish line. As word gets out, we hope it will gain in popularity with the number of entrants increasing year-on-year.

“SCA is a committed supporter of community-led events which encourage all ages to get active and have fun together.  The Prudhoe Miners’ Race was devised in the heyday of the old collieries and was a proud tradition, today the collieries have gone but the race is back and open to everyone. I’m sure this year it will be another great success.”

Sponsors SCA generously supported all the races, and ensured that all of those who competed in the junior events received a magnificent commemorative medal, while the Youth Charity Shop kindly supplied trophies for the junior events.

North Country Leisure’s local team were enthusiastic supporters, while BBC weatherman Paul Mooney presented all of the trophies. On the day the race could not have gone ahead without the help of the volunteer marshals and the army cadets. The Council thanks all who helped make the race day such a success, including all the competitors, and the local schools who encouraged their pupils to take part in the junior events.

The 2014 races will take place on Sunday 21 September.  For more details or to book online now, click HERE

CHECK OUT THE PICTURES OF THE LAUNCH BELOW

Prudhoe SCA Miners Race Results and Pictures

All photographs were kindly taken and supplied by Moira and Bill Wooldridge (Community Photographers).

Prudhoe Town Council would like to extend a huge thank you and congratulations to everyone who took part in the SCA Prudhoe Miners Race this year, whether in the 10k, Junior Race or Mini-Run.

Warm thanks also go to our race sponsors SCA Hygiene, our partners in organising the race – Run Nation and North Country Leisure and the volunteers who helped marshall and provide administrative support on the day.

The SCA Prudhoe Miners race is set to be a regular on the racing calendar and we hope it will grow in popularity and support each year.