Last chance to enter Grim Reaper trail running event at Grimsthorpe near Bourne

An event revived by two long-distance runners is nearly sold out.

Steve Cole and Laura Bailey are organising this year's Grim Reaper trail races at Grimsthorpe Castle, near Bourne.

The races on Saturday, May 20, comprise two 10-mile events, a 40-miler, a 70-miler, and a 100 miler.

"We have 215 runners taking part, which we're over the moon with," said Steve.

"Many recent races have been down on numbers and so to smash our original target of 150 is incredible."

When the event began, in 2010, just a dozen people took part.

Steve, a long-distance runner himself, said Team GB 24-hour runner Alex Whearity will be taking part in the 100-mile race - his personal best for the distance is 12 hours 42 minutes.

Members of Stamford Striders Running Club, Bourne Town Harriers and Natural Bourne Runners are also among those signed up to take part in the various distances and events.

The 40-mile and 100-mile distances can be run by individuals, or by teams of up to four people for the shorter race, and five for the longer one.

To support the runners, and enjoy the atmosphere, spectators can pay £5 to Grimsthorpe Estate to walk the course, use the adventure playground, and browse stalls selling running gear, food and drinks.

The 100-mile race and the 70-mile race begin at 7am., the 40-mile race at 8am, and the daytime 10-mile at 10am. A night version of the 10-mile race starts at 9pm.

A kit-list for runners is available at bog-dog.co.uk/the-grim-reaper.

Entries are open until midnight tonight (Wednesday April 5) and can be made through the webpage.

Only a handful of places remain.