Shropshire Star

Market Drayton 10k sells out in hours

Market Drayton's 10k is set for more spectacular success as all 2,500 tickets for next year's event sold out within hours of going on sale.

Published
Runners set off at this year's Market Drayton 10k

The Muller Market Drayton 10k sold its entire public allocation the day after this year's event, which was called the best ever by organisers.

The first 2,000 tickets for next year's race on May 10 went on sale on the afternoon of this year's race, selling out within five hours. The following day 500 more were put on sale, and were all gone inside two hours.

The race director and town councillor Tim Beckett said: "The company who we use to sell the places online for us are amazed as no other races they handle sell out so quick, and so far in advance.

"Even the Liverpool 10k, that has just over 3,000 places, still has places left a month before their event.

"I do keep a few hundred back for sponsors, elites and prize winners and do have some places I can offer local runners.

"It has always been my aim that all local runners should be able to take part in our race, so if any local runners didn't get in if they can e-mail marketdrayton10K@gmail.com then will see what I can sort for them."

He added: "I never expected the event to take off like it did. My aim back in 2004 was to make it the biggest ever race in the town, which at that time had been 195 runners. So my aim was to get 200 runners to claim that accolade.

"Never did I expect the success of it to now stand at 2,700 runners.

Improvements

"The main reason of the success is all the improvements. We were the first local race to introduce chip race timings, then we were the first to have technical t-shirts. Then we added a family fun day and goody bags, park and ride and a free bag drop."

This year's was the first in a three-year sponsorship deal with Muller, which has a headquarters in the town.

The partnership meant Olympic medallist Kelly Sotherton ran this year's race, and Mr Beckett is excited for the event's potential to grow further without losing its unique charm.

He said: "Nothing will change, I keep looking at new ideas to make our race stay the number one 10k. I'm very proud that I am doing something right for it to sell out so quick every year."

"Having a high profile company like Muller on board has been a key element. They have always been involved as even in years they didn't sponsor they still provided free of charge the yoghurts, which is a major attraction to our race.

"So is Pork Farms, we have two quality brands on board."

To learn more and see the results from this year's race, visit https://www.marketdrayton10k.co.uk/