The starter’s gun has sounded on the Kirkcaldy Parks Half Marathon, with entries for 2022 now open.
Organisers hope to put on a bigger and better event in August after the last two years were scuppered by Covid rules.
And it means up to 1,500 runners will pound the streets of Kirkcaldy, starting and finishing at Beveridge Park.
The inaugural event in 2019 saw 1,200 people take part in the first event of its kind in the town in 27 years.
It was declared a huge success but had to be called off in 2020.
However, last year organisers managed to stage a smaller but equally tough 10k trail race.
And they’re keeping that for 2022, running alongside the half marathon and a new family-friendly fun run.
The whole event runs over the weekend of August 27 and 28.
The race routes
The 10k trail race on the Saturday afternoon takes runners on a winding, hilly adventure from Beveridge Park into the surrounding Raith Estate and back again.
Then, on the Sunday, the half marathon will be almost identical to the 2019 route.
It will take in some of Kirkcaldy’s most famous landmarks, including Beveridge Park, Ravenscraig Park and Dunnikier Park.
And they will also travel part of the coastal path, through Dysart and past the Port Brae.
The final few miles will take in Kirkcaldy’s refurbished waterfront, where there is a flat, measured mile.
Meanwhile, the fun run involves a one-mile route round Beveridge Park.
The 2019 half marathon was described as the biggest single operational event in Kirkcaldy in the modern era.
And it saw a series of rolling road closures and parking restrictions along the route.
How to enter Kirkcaldy Parks Half Marathon 2022
Race director Dave Morton said entries opened on Friday and both events are selling well.
However, the trail race will be limited to 200 competitors, who will be picked via a ballot.
Last year, more than 400 people applied.
Dave said organisers were excited to announce the launch of Kirkcaldy Half Marathon for 2022.
We knew we had the route.”
Race director Dave Morton.
“We were equally nervous and overjoyed in the first year because we didn’t know quite what to expect,” he said.
“The challenge set to us by Councillor Alistair Cameron was to showcase all Kirkcaldy had to offer and create a race and route that would have the whole town buzzing.
“After many hours of planning and running and measuring, we knew we had the route.”
Runners can enter the Kirkcaldy Half Marathon and the 10k trail race online at www.entrycentral.com
Organisers are also looking for volunteer marshals.
More details are available on the event’s social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.
