Two Castles beats record with 4,000 entries snapped up in one day

Kenilworth Rotary Club, organisers of the 10k course, which starts at Warwick Castle and ends at Kenilworth Castle and takes place on June 9, opened its online entry system at 6.45pm last Friday - and by 1.45pm on Saturday, there were no places left.

The take-up of 19 hours was well ahead of last year’s previous record time of 25 hours.

Some 1,800 runners had registered within the first hour of the system going live, which was announed on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire radio.

Bob Kelly, the rotary club’s press officer, said: “In recent years there has been an explosion in its popularity, brought about in part by the Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club expertise in helping to raise the status of the event, and by providing a race for both serious runners, and people running for charity or just for the fun of it.”

The event is being sponsored by Leamington solicitors Blythe Liggins for the eighth year running. Joint senior partner at the firm Richard Thornton said: “This is an enormous endorsement of the popularity of the Two Castles, which just goes from strength to strength.

“Kenilworth Rotary Club does an amazing job with its organisation and promotion of the race – now in its 31st year – which last year raised more than £110,000. A fantastic effort.”

The rotary club supports a number of charities and is currently focusing on trying to secure a defibrilator for public use in Kenilworth. To find out more, visit www.kenilworthrotary.org.uk

There is a waiting list for entry into this year’s Two Castles in case there are any late drop-outs. Details on how to register for this are available on the rotary club’s website.