It may appear to be a Halloween-themed event thanks to its gruesome sounding name, but the 
Bloodaxe Challenge is in fact a late winter affair. Set to take place on 18 February the sell out event will be returning for its 6th year so sign up now and you can start planning your very own 'raid'.

Yes, the race is named after the notorious Viking King, Eric Bloodaxe, and is timed to take place alongside the Jorvik Viking Festival each year. So a great one for the history buffs!

The event will take place at York Sports Village on the 1K cycle circuit and is a 2 hour, chip-timed event so those taking part can turn up and run as many or as few laps as they wish within the 2 hour limit. You can have a break between laps if that's what you wish! Organisers say: "It's your challenge, your race, you decide the distance!"

Speaking about their event, organisers continue: "If you are new to running, why not turn up and run a few laps? Wanting to increase from a 5K to a 10K? Why not turn up and run 10 laps? If you are super speedy and looking for the ultimate challenge, why not see if you can run a half marathon within the 2 hour limit? The choice is yours.

"There is no need to tell us in advance how many laps you wish to do, just turn up and run! There is absolutely, no need to run for the full 2 hours, unless you really wish to do so."

All runners, no matter how fast or how far they have run, will receive the same bespoke medal and goody bag. The medals are crackers with a brand new 'look' each year. In fact previous competitor Malcolm Lavery commented on Facebook: "You do the best medals of anyone. They are always individual and stunning with lovely matching ribbons. Please never do wooden medals."

Homemade cakes will be available for all runners at the end of the race.

If you'd like to know more, visit the Bloodaxe Challenge page of the See York Run York website.

Image: See York Run York Facebook