The first post-war race at Derby’s historic Racecourse will take place on Sunday 8th June, when Derwent Runners host their inaugural ‘Derwent 4’ run at Derbyshire County Cricket Club.
Six FA Cup semi-finals, an FA Cup final replay and a full England football International have been hosted at the Derwent landmark, which has been the home of Derbyshire County Cricket Club for 163 years.
It was also the original home of Derby County Football Club, which started as an offshoot of the Cricket Club in 1884.
In recognition of the history of the course, runners will receive a separately timed final mile in recognition of the original ‘Derby Mile’.
Runners will be chip timed, and will also receive a time for the four-mile race.
There will be prizes for both races including for age categories, and there will be mementoes for all runners including tickets to a T20 game at the County Ground.
Mark Barber, Community and Partnerships Manager at Derbyshire Cricket Foundation said: “Derbyshire Cricket Foundation and Derbyshire County Cricket Club are pleased to support this new initiative which will bring together local running enthusiasts, as well as families and members of the wider community, for what promises to be an inspiring event to raise awareness and breakdown barriers regarding mental health stigma.”
Simon Field, Chairman of Derwent Runners, added: “This year is our 40th anniversary, so we decided to organise our own event as part of the celebrations. We’re really looking forward to staging the Derwent Runners 4 and the Derby Mile at such an iconic location for sport in Derby, and hope that this will become an annual event.”
As well as being a celebration for Derwent Runners, proceeds from the event will also go to the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation and to Derbyshire Mind.
Derwent Runners has been linked to Derbyshire Mind for several years – the club is keen to promote the link between exercise and mental wellbeing, and hopes this event will further spread that message.
