Show your support at Run Wigan Festival

The inaugural running event has already proved to be popular, with 2,000 people signing up for the half marathon and more than 1,200 for the 5k race.

And there is still time to take part, with registration for the family mile available on Sunday morning.

But running is not the only way to take part in the festival - people are being urged to go along to support the participants.

Race organiser Matt Johnson said: “You can still be involved by giving great support like at the 10k and come out on the streets.

“There are some great vantage points, whether it’s round Woodhouse Lane or in the town centre or up at Haigh Hall, you can support the runners along the route.

“We appreciate how the spectators make the Wigan 10k stand out as a major running event.”

Supporters can line the streets to cheer on the runners as they cover a mile, 5km or 13.1 miles.

Other suggested places to watch include Mesnes Road and Kenyon Road. They are not part of the Wigan 10k route so it is the first time runners will be passing homes there.

There will also be plenty of entertainment in the town centre for both runners and supporters, with live music and a European food festival.

Two of the three races - the 5k and family mile - will take place on closed roads, while the half marathon will have rolling road closures.

Drivers are warned some road closures will be in place from 9am.

Some roads in the town centre - Market Street and Mesnes Park Terrace - will remain shut until 2.30pm. The festival will start at 9.30am with the half marathon, followed by the 5k at 10.15am and the family mile at 1pm.

The races will start and finish on Market Street and all participants will receive a medal when they cross the finishing line.

While entries for the 5k and half marathon closed yesterday, people can still enter the family mile.

Registration will be available between 11am and 12.30pm at the race information point in the town centre.

Children will be given their race number on the day and parents or guardians can run with them for free.

The official race starter for the festival is nine-year-old Jack Johnson.

He has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and inspired his parents to set up charity Joining Jack, which is organising the festival.

Jack will take part in the half marathon in his wheelchair, pushed by retired rugby league stars Wayne Godwin and Ewan Dowes.

Many of the runners will be raising money for Joining Jack and other good causes.

Among those fund-raising is Rob Hart, who will run the half marathon dressed as Wigan Warriors’ official mascot Mighty Max.

Rob did the same at the Great North Run and will be joined by his Deralam Laminates colleagues Luke Rimmer and Donna Cadwallader to raise money for Joining Jack.

The Warriors have teamed up with the organisers of the festival to offer free entry to every runner to their match at 3pm tomorrow against Huddersfield Giants.

See Monday’s Wigan Post for eight pages of coverage of Run Wigan Festival and Tuesday’s Wigan Observer for 12 pages.