Wannabee Record-Breakers Urged to Take on the 'Killer Mile'

With less than a month to go until hundreds of runners take to the roads for the 'Killer Mile', organisers are calling on history-makers to come forward.

The men’s and women’s records for the Mow Cop race have both stood for more than thirty years and this year, £1,000 is up for grabs for the female and male who break them!

Bashir Hussain (pictured below) set the male’s course record back in 1991 with a time of 6 minutes 12 seconds, followed by Shireen Barbour a year later with a time of 7 minutes 54 seconds.

For the first time, headline sponsor Chaffinch will match the £1,000 prize from Mow Cop Runners, bringing the total to £2,000 to recognise both the male and female record-breaking winners.

The race on Thursday, May 8th, begins on Drumber Lane and finishes on Mow Cop Castle Car Park. It features a challenging ascent of 570 feet, with steep sections reaching a 25% gradient.

The event includes four distinct races: Junior Race, Fun Run (A and B) and the Elite Race.

And new for this year, thanks to a range of new sponsors, winners will get more than just the kudos of winning the race:

Elite Race place prizes, sponsored by Running Bear include a £150 shoe voucher for winners (both male and female), premium sweatshirts or hoodies for second place, and premium socks for third.

Trophies will be awarded in various age categories within the Elite Race, as well as to the first finishers (both male and female) in the Fun Runs and Junior Race.

Children running the Junior Race will also receive goody bags.

And for the first time in the race’s 44-year history every participant will receive a specially commissioned commemorative medal.

The race which started in 1982 has always donated funds to charity from the race fee. This year monies raised will be split between three charities in Mow Cop and the surrounding areas: Greyhound Gap, St. Luke's Community Group, and Mow Cop Community Church. Mow Cop Runners will also receive a small donation to support their activities as event organisers. 

This year, there will also be a dedicated school’ competition. For every child who enters the Junior Race, their school will be entered into a prize draw, for the chance to win one of three £100 book tokens. The more entries per school, the greater the chance of winning.

Alastair Machin, CEO of headline sponsor Chaffinch: “This year, with our support, we wanted to make the event bigger and better than ever, and I would like to thank all our other sponsors, including Running Bear, Thirst Aid Bars and DJH for their generosity. Their kindness has meant we have been able to increase the prize money and offer some great prizes.  The men’s and women’s course records have stood for well over 30 years now, and we would love 2025 to be the year that new records are set. Record breakers won’t just be making Killer Mile history, they’ll also be £1,000 better off.”

Race organiser Geoff Pettengell of Mow Cop Runners said: “I’m lucky enough to have been involved with the race from the start, and every race, I’ve thought, is this the year that a new record will be set? It would be fantastic if Bashir and Shireen’s records could be broken. We’ve had so much interest this year – not just from people wanting to take part but members of the community and sponsors too which we are so grateful for.”

For more information or to register for a place please go to killermile.com Don’t miss out – the race only has capacity for 1,000 runners and places are going fast.