ENTRIES are now being taken for the York Millennium Bridge races on Tuesday, August 16.

Hosted jointly by City of York Athletics Club and York Acorn Running Club, the races are now a regular feature of the York running scene.

The main races are run over a distance of five kilometres and there are two supporting races, a 2.5km race and a one-mile fun run.

The 5km race attracts some of the region’s best runners as well as those for whom the challenge is just to complete the course.

To cater for such a wide range of abilities there are two races over the 5km distance.

The faster race begins at 7.10pm before the second 5km races set off at 7.25pm.

The course starts in Terry Avenue, near Skeldergate Bridge, running along to the Millennium Bridge, followed by two laps of Rowntree Park, before crossing the bridge and then running along New Walk to the finish near St George’s Field car park.

A bonus of £50 is being offered to anyone who beats the course record of 14 minutes 46 seconds for the men and 17 minutes flat for the women.

Earlier in the evening, the one-mile fun run will be staged. Aimed mainly at under-11s, but open to all, this starts at 6.50pm and can only be entered on the night.

Next in the program is the 2.5km race starting at 7pm.

The minimum age for this race is 11 and there will be prizes in the U13 and U15 categories, but older runners are free to compete.

The 2.5km and 5km races can be entered in advance, either online, using the UK Results website, or using a paper form which can be obtained from York running shops.

Forms can also be downloaded from the York Acorn website www.yorkacornrunningclub.org.uk/Millennium_Bridge_Race

Entries will be accepted on the day up to the race limit. The 5km races usually fill up before race day, however, so runners are advised to enter in advance.

For more details phone race director Andy Normandale on 01904 426735.