There are few things us Mancs get more excited about than anything to do with trains, especially heritage ones. We’re also a pretty active population, so the thought of running a race alongside a steam train is pretty perfect for us, which is exactly what you can do along the East Lancashire Railway this summer, on the sound of the steam train’s whistle.
East Lancashire Railway, quite dramatically, describes the race: “It’s a climactic conflict between human and machine, are these runners faster than a speeding locomotive? There’s only one way to find out.”
The popular ‘Race the Train‘ event has been run for the past eight years, and will see Greater Mancs, Lancashire locals and people from all over the North West come together to see if they can beat an old school locomotive on foot.
Scheduled for June 22, the race begins at Bury Bolton Street station and thunders through the beautiful scenery of Ramsbottom, Edenfield, and eventually Rawtenstall, where the 11-mile race comes to an end. All we can do to make it better is to hope and pray for a lovely sunny day − but we’re not holding our breath.
If you don’t fancy running, you should still come along and cheer on your favourite competitors − friends and family can ride the train looking out for runners along the way shouting encouragement, with a concessionary train ticket, and spectators can also ride along on a full price ticket − both available here.
Once the gang is back together, why not visit a local pub for a pint and a well-deserved bit of grub? The perfect day out for everyone.
So, if you want to register and test your mettle against a wonder from the Industrial Revolution, don’t delay, book yourself in for £30 here − entries close on June 16!
Registration is on platform 3 at Bury Bolton Street Station, opening 9am − 10:25am.