Ever wondered if you could outrun a train? No, seriously, overinflated egos and opinions of athletic prowess aside, you can genuinely race an old steam train as part of one of the most scenic running events in the North West.
Back for 2024 and its eighth edition following seven sell-out years, the Race the Train running event takes place this summer and will see Greater Mancs, Lancashire locals and people from all over the North West come to see if they can beat an old school locomotive on foot.
Running alongside a traditional steam train along the East Lancashire Railway and passing through multiple stations, you’ll get to take in the scenery all whilst putting your fitness to the test.
Better still, it’s scheduled for 10 June, so hopefully it should be a lovely sunny day. Sign us up.
Credit: Chris Arnold (via East Lancs Railway)/Mad Bull Events
Attracting thousands of joggers, dedicated runners and spectators every year, the Race the Train event has genuinely become one of the biggest and best races in the region, welcoming people of all abilities to come along and give the charming route a go.
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Setting off from Bury Bolton Street Station in the borough’s town centre, you’ll set off going North where the train will change tracks and you’ll then run south alongside the legendary East Lancs railway lines and the River Irwell before finishing up at Rawtenstall Station in the Lancashire town of the same name.
With a beautiful and varied route with a good amount of challenge involved too, the 11-mile route only gets more popular each year, but organisers Mad Bull Events are also careful not to oversell the event so there’s still plenty of room for all runners.
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Also, it might only be a little thing but the race starts on the sound of the stream train’s whistle — a nice touch. Here’s a look at how the Race the Train event from 2021.
With a minimum age requirement of 16 years, there’s room for plenty of runners of varying ages and abilities to get involved; plus, one of the best parts is that friends and family can ride the train with a perfect view to cheer them on loved ones HERE. Children’s tickets are just £11 and adults are £16.50.
Online entries for the event will close at 11:45am on Monday, 10 June 2024 and places cost just £30 with the admin fee included. We highly doubt it but if there are any spare places spots available you can join in on the day for just a fiver. You can book your place HERE.
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Registration will open at 9am on platform three at Bury Train Station and will close at 10:25. There will also be a bag drop at the same location with all of your stuff being loaded onto the train ready to pick when you’re all said and done at Rawtenstall Station.
There may or may not be a member or two of The Manc team going along to run the Race the Train event this year too, so hopefully we’ll see you at the finish line to pick up our medals and race shirts.
Featured Images — East Lancashire Railway/Mad Bull Events
Sport
Former Manchester City player Joey Barton found guilty of assaulting his wife
Danny Jones
Ex-footballer Joey Barton has officially been found guilty of assaulting his wife following his two-day trial in the capital this week.
Barton, who played for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and a number of other clubs, was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 25 March, following an incident back in June 2021.
The former midfielder left his wife, 37-year-old Georgia Barton (McNeil), with a bleeding nose and a bruise on her forehead following a drunken row at their home in London.
Barton is said to have grabbed and pushed her to the floor before kicking her in the head. Married in 2019, the two have four children and are thought to still be together.
The 42-year-old was still employed in professional football as the manager of Bristol Rovers at the time, but he was ultimately sacked in October 2023.
His wife called 999 at the time, telling police that he had hit her, but later retracted her statement.
Born in Huyton, Merseyside, the chief magistrate Paul Goldspring recognised that the one-time England has a history of violence.
He was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence, meaning he won’t serve time unless he commits another offence and has been ordered to pay £2,138.
Since dropping out of mainstream football, in particular, Barton has come under heavy criticism for allegations of racism, sexism and controversial right-wing politics; he even started an ‘anti-woke’ podcast called Common Sense with Joey Barton.
Back in June of last year, he was ordered to pay £35,000 in damages to settle a libel claim with presenter Jeremy Vine after a series of inflammatory comments made online.
The Radio 2 presenter sued Mr Barton earlier this year, after the former footballer wrote a series of posts suggesting Mr Vine had a sexual interest in children.
He also accused of threatening fellow former pro, Eni Aluko, after a torrent of abuse regarding her punditry online – the ex-England international even went so far as to say she no longer felt safe staying in the country.
The Hundred is calling for up-and-coming presenters to co-host this year’s tournament
Danny Jones
The Hundred 2025 is fast approaching and cricket’s fastest-growing tournament is once again asking for aspiring presenters to join their roster of co-hosts and help cover the action.
The fast-paced 100-ball format is entering its fifth year and next to T20, you find a more accessible and thrilling form of cricket, so it’s no wonder the competition is gaining a greater audience each year.
With that in mind, the need for a top-notch broadcast team is more crucial than ever but just like those who backed The Hundred in its infancy, they’re looking to invest in future creatives and on-screen talent.
Are you someone looking to get into presenting or know someone who is? Keep reading.
For the fifth year in a row, we want you to be part of #TheHundredRising! 🎤
So how does it work? Well, it’s pretty straightforward: The Hundred is looking for eight up-and-coming presenters to join their team of main venue hosts up and down the country.
Tasked with guiding and talking fans through an action-packed five weeks across all host cities, successful applicants will be responsible for building excitement and atmosphere inside the seven cricket grounds on each match day.
From player and pundit interviews to crowd engagement and interactive other activations with partnered brands, not to mention members of this year’s live music lineup, you’ll be a key part of putting out the top-quality sports and entertainment product they promise every year.
The best part of all is that no prior hosting experience is necessary – this is all about platforming you and The Hundred as a whole.
Successful applicants will be mentored by the main hosts at their respective venues and will attend a two-day workshop with special guests to get them ready to hit the stage this summer.
The ‘Rising Hosts’ scheme has been set up in tandem with their dedicated event production agency, Progress Productions, which will be in charge throughout the application and selection process.
Shortlisted applicants will then have their details shared with the ECB (English Cricket Board) who will be involved when it comes to making their final decisions.
It goes without saying that even if you just love sports or just want to find a way into the industry, this is an opportunity that is not to be missed.
Danny Jones -
15th March 2024 
