Simpson returns to defend Mossley 10k crown

The annual Mossley 10k takes place this Sunday, with a capacity field of 400 runners lining up to tackle its undulating course.

Two-time women’s champion Hayley Simpson, of the East Cheshire Harriers & Tameside Athletic Club, is looking to make it three wins after being the first woman home last year in 41 minutes 58 seconds, more than two-and-a-half minutes in front of the next best female. 

However, defending men’s champion David Barrett won’t be lining up to make it a hat-trick of titles. 

Barratt, who represents Salford Harriers, won 2023’s race in a course record time of 32 minutes 21 seconds despite the torrid conditions, knocking one second off the mark he set the previous year. 

Mossley AFC’s Seel Park ground once again hosts the start and finish lines, as athletes from 50 clubs across the North West look to write their name in the history books. 

"All proceeds go to the football club,” says race organiser and former Mossley AFC secretary, Harry Hulmes. “We’re actually licensed for 450 runners, but we cap the total at 400 because of the practicalities of getting that many people onto the pitch for the start.” 

The route drops from Seel Park into Bottom Mossley, travelling north-east through the Tame Valley along Manchester Road, before gaining altitude again on Chapel Road near Greenfield railway station. 

The course then switches back towards Mossley, with a water station at the 5km mark ahead of a sustained climb along Mossley Road, a steep descent into Top Mossley, and a final kilometer push back to Seel Park. 

As for this summer’s changeable weather, Harry is sanguine about Sunday’s forecast. 

“If it’s too hot, the runners hate it. But, if it’s too wet, our small army of race marshals hate it.” 

Spectators can watch the action from the football club’s terrace, its snack bar will have refreshments, while the clubhouse bar will open for post-race drinks.  

Competitors and supporters are being encouraged to bring along items for the Mossley Foodbank, with a donations table in the race’s registration area.