BARNSLEY 10k is back for its second year this weekend - with the event set to be even bigger and better than its debut.

Organised by the sport and physical activity team at Barnsley Council, the run takes place on town centre roads with more than 2,000 people ready to take it on - almost double the amount of last year’s runners.

The route begins and ends at the Glass Works and heads out towards Barugh Green, with the furthest point being the ‘Whaley Lap’.

All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and medal for taking part, as well as free photos that they can download after.

Gareth Cooke, 31, a member of the team, said: “It’s great to have almost double the numbers this year - it’s set to be the biggest mass participation race in the town’s history.

“We’re a passionate group organising it as well, we’re all people from Barnsley who love running.

“It’s the same route as last year as well, I live on the route and seeing people last year was so inspiring, the amount of people I’ve seen training as well has been amazing.”

Gareth won’t be taking part in this year’s event as he is one of the organisers - but he’s completed more than 100 running events in his life and says he has gone out running every day since 2015.

He’s hoping that this year’s event will not only inspire people to keep running, but for other people to start as well.

He added: “Once you get started it becomes quite addictive and what you put in you get back out.

“The hardest bit is taking that first step out the door, but once you start, one mile becomes two and so on.

“Everyone has their own reasons to start running and to do events like the Barnsley 10k, so I’m always interested to find out what they are.”

Gareth’s passion for a 10k in Barnsley came true last year, and the footfall created at the event is only expected to increase this year, and in the future as well.

He said: “We’re hoping to keep the route the same through our ten-year lease - the real dream is for it to be an event that can last that long.”