The iconic Tour of Tameside is back this week, with the ultimate running challenge celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

The Running Bee Foundation's popular four-day festival of running offers a variety of routes and terrains to challenge participants both physically and mentally, whilst taking in some of the most picturesque sights across Tameside.

The race schedule is as follows:

Thursday 29 July (7.15pm)

Day 1 – X Trail, Park Bridge/Daisy Nook Country Park

The race HQ will be at Oldham RUFC, Manor Park, Byrth Road, Oldham - where there will be toilets, refreshments, a baggage drop, parking and changing available. 

Spectators can park at Oldham Rugby Club and then walk down to the Country Parks, which are situated either side of Ashton Road.  

A warm-up will take place 10 minutes before the race starts. 

Medals are given at the finish and the daily winners trophy ceremony will take place at Oldham Rugby Club. 

Friday 30 July (7.15pm)

Day 2 – Hell on the Fell, Walkerwood Reservoir, Stalybridge

The race HQ will be situated at Copley Leisure Centre on Huddersfield Road - where limited parking, a limited number of lockers, toilets, changing and refreshments will be available. 

A warm-up will take place 10 minutes before the race starts. 

The daily awards ceremony will take place in Copley Leisure Centre at approximately 8.45pm. 

Spectators will be able to see the runners climbing up to Hobson Moor. 

Saturday 31 July (10am)

Day 3 – NHS Hero Half-Marathon, Longdendale Trail, Hadfield

The race HQ will be the Sports Tours International blue gazebo at Roughfields on Padfield Main Road in Hadfield - where parking, a baggage drop gazebo, portable toilets and hot and cold refreshments will be available. 

There will be no changing facilities. 

The awards ceremony will take place at Roughfields at around 12.30pm. 

Spectators will be able to see the runners at the start and go through Hadfield town centre before joining the Longdendale Trail. Along the trail there are two recommended viewing points - near Torside Reservoir and also Woodhead Reservoir. 

A warm-up will take place 10 minutes before the race starts. 

Sunday 1 August (9.30am)

Day 4 – Dr Ron Hill Hyde 7, Hyde

The race HQ will be situated inside Hyde Town Hall, on Market Street - where there will be a baggage drop and toilets available. 

Market Street will be closed throughout the race so that spectators can watch. There will also be a selection of stalls and activities in the Market Street area opposite the town hall. 

There will be no changing facilities and people should use local pay and display car parks. 

A warm-up will take place 10 minutes before the race starts. 

More on the Tour

All stages of the Tour have been carefully chosen to be challenging but achievable by runners of all abilities and are the inspiration of marathon legend Dr Ron Hill MBE who created the original race series back in 1981.

The Tour is now delivered by The Running Bee Foundation, who provide grants to community initiatives across the region that promote health, wellbeing and activities which help fight the reduction of childhood obesity.

The Running Bee Foundation’s Chair of Trustees Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL said: “As the Tour of Tameside enters its 40th year, The Running Bee Foundation is extremely proud of the support shown by our sponsors, supporters and of course, the participants of previous races. We look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s event, which is one of the highlights in our calendar.”

All profits raised from the Tour of Tameside will be distributed from the Foundation to good causes and initiatives throughout Tameside to help fund health and well-being community activities.

For more details on the Tour of Tameside, including how to sign up and route maps, visit https://www.runningbeefoundation.co.uk/. 

'Bee in the Park' event

On Saturday (31 July), there is a free 'Bee in the Park' event for families at Roughfields, on Padfield Main Road in Hadfield, from 10am to 2pm. More details here.

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper