Bingley Harriers have confirmed that they are about to sign a contract which will ensure the long term future of the Bradford 10k road race.

Agreement has been reached for the event to count as the championship race for both the Amateur Athletics Association and Inter Counties titles twice in every three-year cycle.

It follows the success of the inaugural race around Low Moor in September which attracted around 1,000 entries.

Next year's race will be held on Sunday, September 10 and will start and finish at the Richard Dunn Sports centre.

A new course is currently being measured out in the Halifax Road area.

Harriers president Derek Green said: "After listening to the comments of the athletes from this year's event we have decided to flatten out the course.

"Many of the athletes felt the long climb up from the M62 at Chain Bar to Low Moor was too testing.

"The new course will almost certainly mean a faster time and we feel it will attract even more entries."

The deal with the AAAs and the Inter Counties means that the championship status is moved to another venue in 2001 but Green added: "The race will still go on.

"We believe it has the ability to become a popular and permanent feature of the athletics calendar."

The 2000 race will again feature the 3k fun run for the Marie Curie Fund. It is likely to be staged around the Richard Dunn Sport centre.

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