Welshpool is preparing for a jam packed weekend with multiple high profile sporting events coming to the town at once.
On Saturday, March 25, the North Wales Rally will move its headquarters to Welshpool for its 2023 event, following a partnership with a local food producer.
Then the following day, Sunday March 26, the town will welcome runners from across the area for the Welshpool 10k.
Organisers of both events have said that they hope to provide a boost to the town, with both events featuring a start and finish line right in the middle of Welshpool along its high street.
Matt Cotton of the North Wales Rally said: “Welshpool has a great heritage in motorsport and indeed Rally North Wales, as over the decades the rally has used the town as its base many times before.
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“With the continued growth and development of the event which has attracted competitors from across the world, we had been looking for a new home for the rally.
“Thanks to the fantastic support from Welshpool Town Council and Mayor Cllr Alison Davies, and our sponsors Get Jerky who are based there, we have been able to introduce a Broad Street start and finish ceremony which enables the townsfolks to witness the amazing array of cars and drivers we have at the rally, without heading into the forests.
“By its nature, the rally needs a large area to house all the cars and teams and Welshpool fits perfectly. The Livestock Market has the space for that and the Cambrian Training centre has all the facilities needed for pre-event technical checks. The jewel in the crown perhaps though, is Broad Street and the opportunity to start and finish the cars in front of fans. It’s perfect.
“It’s set to be a fantastic occasion.”
Alan Lewis of Adrenaline Sporting Events, organisers of the Welshpool 10k, said: “From our point of view, we’re super excited to come back. It’s been challenging as the events industry is still in recovery from the pandemic, but bringing an event to a town like this is special, especially as it’s the first big event to kick off this year’s outdoor season.
“This being the second Welshpool 10k, putting it together has felt a little easier to deal with, especially with a built up relationship with stakeholders in the town.
“We set the bar high in 2022 with a really good field of runners, so we’re hoping for an improved number of experienced runners in 2023.
“The 10k remains a great opportunity for Welshpool, a chance to showcase the area with a wider impact that could be felt year after year.
“The chance to come back again and again and get more and more people involved on a local level is what we hope to inspire.”
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