RUNNING FOR GLORY

Triathlete Savage was last year's runner up while Emma has won the fun run for the last three years in a row and will be looking to maintain her record.

Organiser, Heather Martin, was busy on Sunday taking in entries for both races at Havelock Park and as ever a big entry is expected on the night.

"Entries are going really well so far," she said. "We have over 350 in the 10k & 244 in the Fun Run.

"We have a lot of locals entered but we also have athletes from Portadown, Newcastle, Belfast, Coleraine, Londonderry and Dundalk.

"As well as club athletes we have a lot of schools, businesses and organizations entering big numbers this year.

"Bridge Integrated Primary have as usual a big entry in the 10K and the Fun Run while Shoefair Sports also have a lot of staff entered in the 10k.

"Rainbow Pre School in Dromore have a big team (over 20) in the Fun Run, Dromore Dental Practice have 10 taking part in the fun run while Scarva PS also have 10 entered in the Fun Run."

They will be tested on a route which will see them tour the town.

The 10K gets underway at 7pm, starting at Havelock Park before going onto the Lurgan Road, Church Square, passing through Bridge Street and Newry Street under the Cut. They will then run onto the Newry Road before coming down the Bannview Road, up the A1 junction leading to Rathfriland Road. The Ballydown Road and Castlewellan Road will be next before going back up and down the town centre. The chase will then be on to be the first back onto the track at Havelock Park.

The Fun Run circuit is much shorter with the race getting underway 10 minutes later.

Again athletes will start on the track at Havelock Park before going onto the Lurgan Road, through Church Square, again going up and down Bridge Street and Newry Street, turning at the War Memorial before making their way back to Havelock via the Lurgan Road.

Havelock Park will be temporarily closed to motorists on Wednesday May 19 between 5-10pm to accommodate the Bann 10K Race and Fun Run.

No parking will be available at the Council-owned facility during this period, as this is the designated starting and finishing point for runners competing in the race or taking part in the fun run.

Alternative arrangements have been made permitting motorists to park within the grounds of Banbridge Academy.

Banbridge Athletics Club has organised both events with support from Banbridge District Council and Donaghy's Shoefair Sports.