THE ALCESTER 10K WILL BE BACK ON 6TH OCTOBER 2024!
We are thrilled to announce the Alcester 10k is back for its tenth year on Sunday 6th October 2024! Starting and finishing in the beautiful market town of Alcester near Stratford Upon Avon it’s a race not to be missed!
The 2023 events had more runners than ever and sold out early, so make sure you get registered fast!
Starting on the High Street the route takes runners out into the stunning country lanes of Warwickshire for a single loop with two drinks stations along the way, finishing with welcome cheers from the friendly locals. We offer finishers medals and OPTIONAL t shirts for all runners, in order to try and do our small part to reduce waste going to landfill.
Chip timing, post-race snacks and the chance to purchase race photography all come as standard from Raceways and afterwards why not stay and enjoy what the town has to offer from its many lovely cafes and pubs?
As with all Raceways events, there is a FREE to enter 1Km Kids Fun Run which starts and ends next to the adult finish line and all children receive a FREE medal, so the whole family can enjoy the fun!
TEN YEARS OF THE ALCESTER 10K!
This year is a very special one for Raceways Events and the Alcester 10K – it will mark our 10th year, and 10th race, in the beautiful Warwickshire town of Alcester!
On October 6th 2024, the Alcester 10K will be back for it’s 10th edition. The rolling course through the beautiful Warwickshire country lanes, starting and finishing in Alcester town centre, means that this is a lovely way to close out a summer running season.
We first brought the 10K to Alcester because it is the hometown of our CEO at Raceways, Martine Verweij. She loves the strong sense of community and the incredible atmosphere at all the events in the town, and wanted to give something back – and from these sentiments, the Alcester 10K was born!
Over the years there have been some wonderful memories made, and challenges faced, but every year we learn new lessons to make the next race even better.
From the early days working alongside the force of nature that was the late mayor Lennox Cumberbatch, we have loved every minute. Lennox is remembered every year with the Lennox Cumberbatch trophy for the first placed male and female under 18 year old runners, ensuring his legacy at the race lives on.
Watching our runners race to the finish, not to smash a PB, but to get a beer first at the Turks Head, spurred on by the alcoholic boost of a Hogans Cider after 7km (it’s not doping, we promise!) has been a highlight throughout. The support of Alcester Town Council and the Court Leet has been vital to the success of the event, bringing the whole community together on what is usually a beautiful autumnal day!
The route has undergone a few tweaks, most notably a full reversal to ease the traffic congestion on the roads north of the town centre, but it still offers a great challenge for serious racers, PB chasers, and running newbies. Needless to say, the atmosphere out on the route, and the welcome in the town centre at the finish line is second to none. The sight of hundred of kids charging down the High Street in the Kids Fun Run, once the adults have finished their 10K, has been a highlight of every race so far.
As the home race for Run Alcester running club, the race has always had a strong field of red shirted runners proudly showing off their Run Alcester kit – not to mention the army of Run Alcester volunteers who help at registration, on the finish line, at water stations, and marshal out on the route every year. Run Alcester now sponsor the annual Lizzie Tovey Award for Inspiration to celebrate the most inspiring runner at each race, in memory of the late Lizzie Tovey and her achievements fundraising and running in the face of adversity.
We’ve been lucky to work with some incredible local partners, including having SECO as headline race sponsors, and Marathon Kids UK (formerly Kids Run Free) as charity partners. As we move into 2024, we are now on the lookout for new sponsors and a new charity partner for the race, so that we can continue to bring this fantastic race to Alcester, and give something back to the local community.
When we collapsed into the Turks Head for some much-needed post-race refreshment back in 2015, we had no idea how the race would grow from just 500 runners into the incredibly well supported and much loved event it is today.
Over the years the race has gone from strength to strength, bouncing back from COVID 19 with a double edition in 2022, and hit our biggest ever entries in 2023 with over 1250 of you signing up!
We couldn’t do the race without the fantastic Alcester community, and a special mention must go to Alcester Town Council, the Court Leet, Run Alcester, The Turks Head, and Hogans Cider, and all the local volunteers and residents who continue to support the race each year.
In 2024 we are so excited to be celebrating the 10th year of the Alcester 10K, and the 10th edition of the race. We’ll be dishing out some special offers and competitions in the new year, and we are planning a very special occasion for race day in October!
Here’s to the next ten years!
RACEWAYS 3 RACE BUNDLE – THREE RACES, ONE PRICE!
You can now enter all three of our races in one go – buy our NEW 3 race bundle for just £80! (Even cheaper £74 for affiliated runners)
Includes entry to:
Leamington Spa Half Marathon 2024
Alcester Autumn 10K 2024
Redditch Kingfisher 10K 2024
Click HERE to enter now!
We are excited to announce the release of our BRAND NEW Raceways Events Gift Vouchers!
The vouchers are available in values of £25 or £50, and can be redeemed against any race and merchandise.
Click HERE to order yours now!
RACEWAYS EVENTS AND TEAM WASS COACHING!
We have teamed up with our good friends and colleagues at Team Wass Coaching to give you the knowledge, planning, and motivation to smash your 2023 running goals! Whether you’re a complete novice, or want to beat your PB, you can join our brand new running community today!
- Individual membership – £10 : You’ll receive a detailed 16 week plan from Team Wass Coaching to hit their 10K or Half Marathon Goal.
- Community membership – £20 : You’ll get an individual 16 week plan provided from Team Wass Coaching, and additional access to the “Raceways Team Wass Running Community” – a social Facebook group and email newsletter to provide you with community support, feedback, to share ideas and experience, and for Becky from Team Wass Coaching to provide weekly tips and motivation.
Sign up to your 2023 Coaching journey when you register for any Raceways Events race HERE
CHARITY FUNDRAISING
Run the Alcester 10K for FREE by fundraising for our charity partners!
Raceways Events CIC has supported the Leamington based childrens’ charity Marathon Kids UK
(formerly Kids Run Free) for over 10 years. However, in 2023 we are looking for a new charity
partner, and aim to work with as many local charities as we can!
Watch this space for news about our charity partners for this years race!
THE SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF OUR RACES
At Raceways Events CIC, we are striving to do all we can to reduce the environmental impact of all our races, while continuing to deliver the great events our runners expect from us every year. Here are just some of the ways we are improving the sustainability of our events…
Recycling and Litter:
We operate a “No Trace Policy” at all of our races. Our teams sweep the race route fully to collect all litter, which is then discarded appropriately. We work with local waste disposal operators to ensure suitable recycling options are available for the disposal of all litter associated with our races.
We also ensure that all water bottles or cups are collected and recycled appropriately.
Water:
Where possible, we endeavour to avoid using single use plastic bottles at our water stations, and seek out solutions using mains water supply and water cups where possible. Where our race partners provide finish line water bottles, we keep these to a minimum (depending on the number of runners) and ensure they are recyclable where possible.
Medals:
We have shifted to using wooden medals at all our races. These are designed and manufactured in the UK, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint from transport, packaging and production compared to metal medals that are usually imported from China.
They are also fully recyclable, which significantly reduces the waste going to landfill after a race.
T Shirts:
As with our medals, we have decided to offer finishers T shirts as an optional extra, for a small fee. This allows us to only order the precise number needed, which will reduce the number of left over T shirts that end up being thrown away. We can also produce higher quality T shirts, which means that they are not simply worn once and discarded, never to be worn again.
Goody bags:
As with many of our fellow event organisers, we have moved away from physical goody bags for all race finishers. You can still get your post-race snack, water, and medal or T shirt (if you’ve purchased one!), but they’ll be ready to be collected individually.
Registration:
To reduce our paper use, we do as much as possible through online processes and email communications. All registrations are taken through online portals, we send out all our race information (before and after the race) via email and posted on our websites, and (where possible) have race numbers collected at race HQ prior to the race rather than posting them out.
RACE DAY INFORMATION
Click here to download the race day information: Alcester 10k 2023 Race Information Pack
Please see below for any Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is event HQ?
Event HQ will be at Centenary Fields, Alcester, B49 5QP.
What time is registration?
Registration for both the Alcester 10K, and the Kids 1km Fun Run, will open at:
Saturday 7th October 12pm – 6pm
Sunday 8th October 7.30am – 9.30am
How do I collect my race bib and chip?
You can collect your Race BIB and timing chip from registration at Centenary Fields. Please collect them on Saturday 7th October if you can, to reduce the number of runners congregating at registration on the morning of the race. Don’t forget to pick up you race T shirt from registration if you have ordered one!
Where can I park?
Parking is available at Festival Fields, Stratford Road, Alcester. This is a large field on the north side of the Stratford Road, next to the river. The nearest postcode is B49 6PG. The best way to access the parking, and avoid any early road closures, is from the A46 via the Stratford Road.
What time does the race start?
The race will start at 10am. Please make sure you get to the start line in good time, and please move into a position that matches your estimated finishing time – there will be signage to guide you into the right place.
What happens if I cannot take part?
Unfortunately we cannot offer refunds if you are unable to take part. In some circumstances however, we can transfer your entry to an alternative event, as long as you notify us by email before the race day.
Can I transfer my race number to a friend?
To transfer your entry, please come to registration (see times above) and speak to a member of the team, who will be able to sort this out for you.
What time will the roads reopen?
There will be rolling road closures throughout the race, with roads being reopened once runners pass through.
The Stratford Road (8km onwards) will be reopened at 11.30am. Any runners remaining on the course will have to move onto the footpath at the side of the road in order to finish the race.
How do I claim my medal and T shirt?
All runners will receive a medal when they cross the finish line. If you have ordered a finishers T shirt, you will be able to collect it from regsitration when you collect your race number. Please double check before you arrive that you have ordered one!
Is there a bag drop?
There will be a manned bag drop onthe High Street, near to the Start/Finish line.
ROUTE MAP
ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
Download the road closure leaflet here: Alcester 10K 2023 Road Closure Leaflet
Road Closure Information – Alcester 10k 2023 – 9th October
There are approved road closures in place on the morning of the event to ensure the safety of athletes, spectators and motorists, which will affect Alcester, Kinwarton, Great Alne, Walcote & Haselor.
The roads will be reopened at the earliest possible opportunity once all runners have come through, to minimize disruption to local residents and businesses. The specific timings for each road affected are below. Please note that these timings are the latest times at which the road will be closed and reopened.
Please also see the map below for more information.
If you have any questions, please email office@raceways.org.uk
Alcester: High Street
Closed from 6am until 2pm, when the event will finish.
Alcester: Henley Street
Closed from 6am until 2pm, when the event will finish.
Alcester: Kinwarton Road
Closed from 9.30am until 11.15am, when the last runner will have passed through.
Motorists will only be able to access this road once it is officially reopened.
Captains Hill/B4089:
Closed from 9.30am until 11.30am, when the last runner will have passed through.
Motorists trying to access Alcester will have to divert to the A435 via Kings Coughton.
Motorists trying to access Great Alne will have to divert via Spernal Lane (please note that a two way traffic control will allow through traffic at Great Alne).
Great Alne: Spernal Lane
Closed from 9.45am until 11.45am. There will be a two way traffic control in place to allow through traffic, although motorists will not be able to access the B4089 until this has reopened (see above).
Pelham Lane:
Closed from 9.45am until 12pm, when the last runner will have passed through.
Motorists trying to use this route either northbound or southbound will have to divert via Aston Cantlow.
Walcote and Haselor: Mill Lane
Road closed from 9.45am until 12.15am, when the last runner will have passed through.
Motorists will only be able to access this road once it is officially reopened.
Motorists trying to access Great Alne will have to divert via Aston Cantlow.
Motorists trying to access Alcester will have to divert via the A46 Stratford Road.
Stratford Road:
Road closed EASTBOUND from 9.45am until 12.30pm, when the last runner will have passed through.
This road will remain open Westbound, allowing access into Alcester from the A46.
Motorists trying to access/exit Gas House lane will be able to access/exit via Stratford Road until 10.15am, at which point this will be at the discretion of traffic management operatives managing this junction. This junction will reopen as soon as the final runner has passed through.
Motorists trying to exit Alcester town centre will have to divert via Evesham Street towards the A435.
Motorists trying to exit Oversley Green to the A46 will have to divert via Alcester town centre, and Evesham Street as above.
