Former Great Britain marathon runner and winner of the Berlin Marathon (1977), Norman Wilson, is launching The City of Gloucester 10k Run, to be held in May next year.

The race, on Sunday 19th May 2019, will aim to attract elite international runners to the city, as well as club and recreational runners.

The race will also be an opportunity for local charities to benefit by having sponsored runners raising money for their chosen causes. Proceeds will be re-invested in local grassroots projects, including summer training camps.

The fast and flat course will start on Trier Way and finish in Gloucester Park, with the route taking in Gloucester Docks, Castlemeads Nature Reserve and stretches of the River Severn and the Gloucester Sharpness Canal.

Norman hopes to make The City of Gloucester 10k Run a major road race in the UK Athletics calendar within five years, attracting spectators and national attention to the city, thus benefitting the local economy.

Norman Wilson is an accomplished international marathon runner from Gloucestershire. In a professional athletics career representing Great Britain, he won the Berlin Marathon, and finished in the top 20 at races in Tokyo, New York, Boston, Montreal and Frankfurt.

Now Norman coaches elite long distance athletes at 50K and 100K championships, including Emma Gooderham, Adela Salt, Lizzie Hawker, Sue Bruce, Ellie Greenwood and current British 100K Champion, Samantha Amend. Norman was the race director of the National Road Relay Championships in Great Britain between 2000 and 2012.

Norman Wilson said: "The City of Gloucester 10k Run is for professional and recreational runners. It is hoped that the event will support local businesses and promote healthy lifestyles. Having been quite ill recently my wife, Anne, and I are incredibly keen for local charities to get involved and benefit."

Cllr Paul James, Leader of Gloucester City Council, said: "This is a magnificent opportunity for Gloucester to attract top runners to the city by staging a road race that allows nationally ranked times. I hope many local runners will enter what I am sure will become a prestigious event for the city."