It’s all systems go for the ever-popular Gloucester 10K, which takes place later this month.

The runners go under starter’s orders on Sunday 26^th June with race director Nigel Tillott hoping that it continues to showcase all that is good about the city.

It is the ninth time that Tillott, who works in Gloucester and is also chairman of Tewkesbury Running Club, has organised the event and he said: “It’s a community event.

“It’s put together by the community for the community. All the proceeds go back to the community and it’s all done by volunteers. It’s a race for local people.”

Tillott is hoping that around 800 runners will line up in Gloucester Park for the 8.30am start and he continued: “It’s run around Gloucester, it’s a chance to showcase Gloucester.

“The runners go around the cathedral and take in the docks, the quays and the canal towpath.”

Tillott is expecting the winner to complete the course in around 33 minutes ­– the finishing line is in Gloucester Park – and while that is obviously a very decent pace, he is keen to stress that the race is for everyone.

“Anyone aged 15 and upwards,” he said. “Any age, any ability, it doesn’t matter.”

Tillott has yet to run the Gloucester 10K and his role as race director means he is again too busy to compete this year.

That is set to change in 2023 however.

“I’ll be 60 next year and I’d like to run it myself, it’s my birthday the day before next year’s race,” he said. “I’ll still be heavily involved in organising the event but someone else will have to take over as race director.”

And if Tillott does step aside, whoever takes on the main role will have to expect the unexpected.

“It is challenging,” Tillott admitted. “I think my hairiest moment was over the lifting bridge. It had a closure order but no-one had told the lock keeper!

“I managed to get it down 10 seconds before the lead runner came through, my heart was in my hands!”

Next year’s Gloucester 10K will take place on Sunday 25^th June.