Here’s an invitation to a summer evening’s racing on a multi-terrain course through the Goyt Valley and te chance to compete for the prizes on offer. The Offerton 5 on Wednesday 16 June has a limited number of places so you'll have to be quick when registration opens on Monday 26 April. 

The Offerton 5 along with the Stockport 10 was a casualty of the Covid pandemic and both have been rescheduled to 16 June and 12 December respectively. Organised by Stockport Harriers & AC, it is a good 5 miler for the legs with the mix of trails, gravel paths, tarmac, track and lanes in attractive surroundings and if the weather is fine and dry, is a perfect midweek race and suitable for all types of runners. Plus the short distance means no late finish on a school night!

Thinking about footwear, road shoes are ok if there has been a dry spell but as the majority of the race is off-road, a trail shoe is the safest option. 

Step 4 of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown aims to lift all remaining restrictions on 21 June. However, this event is a few days before that milestone so there will be a socially-distanced start at Woodbank Stadium. Runners follow a well-marked, undulating route through Woodbank and Vernon Parks and the Goyt Valley with plenty of marshals along the way before finishing back in the stadium.

Race organisers advise runners to make a note of the event date and respond quickly when registration opens. 

Image courtesy of Jackie Hall