Organisers of a gruelling one-mile challenge are calling on runners to try to smash two records which have been held for more than 30 years – and there’s a £2,000 prize pot up for grabs.
First held in 1982, the Killer Mile race will take place next month and features a 570-foot climb to the car park at Mow Cop Castle, with gradients reaching up to 25 per cent.
The current men’s and women’s course records have stood for more than three decades. Bashir Hussain set the male record in 1991 with a time of six minutes and 12 seconds, while Shireen Barbour set the female record in 1992 with a time of seven minutes and 54 seconds.
To mark the 2025 race, which takes place on Thursday, 8 May, Mow Cop Runners and headline sponsor Chaffinch have each pledged £1,000 to go to the male and female runners who break the course records.
There are four separate races in the event: the junior race, two fun runs and the elite race. For the first time in the event’s 44-year history, all runners will receive a specially commissioned commemorative medal.
Trophies will be awarded in various age categories in the elite race and to the first finishers in the fun runs and junior race. Junior race participants will also receive goody bags.
Elite race prizes, sponsored by Running Bear, include a £150 shoe voucher for the male and female winners, premium sweatshirts or hoodies for second-place finishers and premium socks for third place.
Race organiser Geoff Pettengell, of Mow Cop Runners, said: “I’m lucky enough to have been involved with the race from the start, and every race, I’ve thought is this the year that a new record will be set? It would be fantastic if Bashir and Shireen’s records could be broken.
“We’ve had so much interest this year – not just from people wanting to take part but members of the community and sponsors too which we are so grateful for.”
This year’s race will raise funds for three local charities: Greyhound Gap, St Luke’s Community Group and Mow Cop Community Church. A donation will be made to Mow Cop Runners to support their work as organisers.
A new competition for schools has also been introduced. For each pupil who enters the junior race, their school will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three £100 book tokens.
Alastair Machin, CEO of Middleport-based Chaffinch, said: “This year, with our support, we wanted to make the event bigger and better than ever, and I would like to thank all our other sponsors, including Running Bear, Thirst Aid Bars and DJH for their generosity. Their kindness has meant we have been able to increase the prize money and offer some great prizes.
“The men’s and women’s course records have stood for well over 30 years now, and we would love 2025 to be the year that new records are set. Record breakers won’t just be making Killer Mile history – they’ll also be £1,000 better off.”
Registration is open at killermile.com, with a limit of 1,000 places available.
