To help celebrate Lockerbie Gala and ROM’s main week of celebrations, Annan and District Athletic Club (ADAC) have created a new five mile fun run.
Club spokesman Alan Cameron said: “ADAC have been going for over 40 years now and have not really had a run we can call our own for quite a while, hence the decision to create this event.
“The two biggest towns that we cover, which are Annan and Lockerbie, do not have an official senior race and this is something that we wanted to change.”
He added: “We thought we would start with Lockerbie and we might introduce a new road race in Annan next year, but we will see how this ones goes first.
“We also wanted to tie this in and work closely with Lockerbie Gala and we hope, like other gala runs in the area, this run will go on for a good few years.”
Chairman of the Lockerbie Gala and ROM committee, Ian McLatchie, added: “We’re always happy to introduce a new event to our already busy gala calendar.
“Fingers crossed for a successful debut and an all round great Lockerbie Gala 2017.”
The up-coming race takes place on June 6, the week between Lockerbie Gala’s crowning ceremony and the big day. The five-mile-long run will start and finish at the bottom of Haas Lane and will have just over 960 ft of ascent.
Describing the route, runner Mr Cameron said: “The route will take you along an old drovers track which in turn will take you up to the trig point at the summit of Haas Hill, with stunning views of the other local hills like Burnwark, Criffel, Queensberry, Moffat Hills and the Lake District in the distance.
“The course is 95 per cent all off road so trail shoes or fell shoes would be better suited and the route will be signed and kindly marshalled by members of the Gala committee and Rotary Club.”
He added: “We would like to encourage as many runners or walkers who would like to come and have a go as the course is safe, not too long and is probably walkable for an average walker in two hours.”
Registration takes place on the night from 5.30 pm next to Ponsse, Lockerbie, and entry is £5 with walkers taking off at 6 pm and runners setting off at 6.45 pm.
All attendees will receive a medal and the overall winner will take home a trophy, theirs to keep for a year as a reigning champion.
