Derwent Runners will mark their 40th anniversary in style this summer with the launch of a brand-new race in Derby. The inaugural Derwent Runners 4 will take place on 8 June, bringing together runners of all abilities for a unique four-mile challenge steeped in local history.

The event is being staged in partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club and will start on the outfield of the iconic County Ground. Runners will then complete two scenic laps around the adjoining Derby Racecourse before finishing with a specially timed final mile.

This closing stretch, officially named the Derby Mile, pays tribute to a historic local route that once ran from the Paddock pub on Mansfield Road to the grandstand of what is now the cricket ground. In recognition of its legacy, participants will receive two separate chip times: one for the complete four-mile course and one for the final mile sprint. Prizes will be awarded for both races, including age group categories, and all finishers will be rewarded with race mementoes and tickets to a T20 cricket match at the County Ground.

Following the main event, a one-mile Family Run will take place, open to children and adults of all abilities. Every participant will receive a keepsake to mark their achievement.

Proceeds from the event will support the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation and Derbyshire Mind. A spokesperson says: "The running club has worked closely with Derbyshire Mind for several years, promoting the vital link between physical activity and mental wellbeing - a theme at the heart of our anniversary race."

If you'd like to know more, visit the Derwent Runners website.

Image: Derwent Runners Facebook