Extra Yorkshire Marathon places sell out in just two minutes

Organisers said the event – the capacity of which was increased to 6,100 due to popular demand – sold out in just two minutes yesterday morning.

The marathon, which take spart in York, is being organised by a new company under the Jane Tomlinson’s For All Events umbrella – the organisation set up as a fundraising legacy to the late Yorkshire fundraiser.

The news comes as walkers are preparing to take part in Peak District Walk tomorrow. Organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Walk For All, the event is back for a second year after a successful 2012 debut in which around 1,000 people took part.

Sara Birkinshaw, event director for the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon said: “To sell out in just two minutes is phenomenal.

“There is clearly a huge appetite for a marathon in Yorkshire and we’re fulfilling that demand, not only by putting on an event, but having it in such a beautiful location and being able to create a really flat course – which is very attractive to long-distance runners.”

The marathon has proved exceptionally popular since its launch in January and after repeated calls from would-be runners and following local discussions, the capacity was able to be increased to 6,100 earlier this month.

Places went on sale at 9am yesterday and had all been sold by 9.02am. Entries have flooded in from across the UK, France, the Netherlands, Canada, the USA and even the Caribbean.

Jane Tomlinson, CBE, from Rothwell, Leeds, raised almost £2m for charity by tackling a series of endurance challenges, despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer.

The Yorkshire Post is a media partner for the marathon which takes place on Sunday, October 20, starting and finishing at the Heslington campus of York University.

Entries are still open for the James Potter Eggs Yorkshire Marathon Corporate Relay, where teams of six friends or colleagues share the 26.2 mile distance.

Volunteers are also needed for the event. For more information about volunteering and the corporate relay visit the website: www.theyorkshiremarathon.com