Organisers of the half marathon, which is returning to Ipswich on Sunday, September 16, said the huge demand has left them “overwhelmed” and confident that the event will continue to grow each year.
They have announced that almost half of the Great East Run 2018 entries have been snapped up just two days after going on sale.
Last year, the inaugural event sold out within months, with the full 3,000 places being sold by April.
This year’s event offers 500 extra places. Entries opened on Monday and the event is “well on its way to reaching capacity in record time”, organisers said.
A total of 3,500 participants will line up on Russell Road for the 13.1-mile course, which takes in the town centre, the waterfront, and the Shotley Peninsula.
• See here to enter the Great East Run 2018.
Alex Jackson, of the Great Run Company, said: “Once again, we’re overwhelmed by the level of support that the Simplyhealth Great East Run has received since the 2018 event has opened for entries.
“The fact that so many people have signed up so quickly, in just a matter of days, shows there is a huge level of demand for running events in Suffolk. Our aim is to provide a world class running event for the area and we’re confident that with this level of participation we will be able to build on the event year on year.
“Whether you’re an experienced runner, or considering setting yourself the challenge of an event for the first time, we hope the Simplyhealth Great East Run will encourage more people in the area to become more active this year.”
The major event, supported by Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council, and Ipswich Jaffa Running Club, replaces the Ipswich Half Marathon and aims to rival within 10 or 20 years the Great South Run, which has been held in Portsmouth since 1990 and now has over 25,000 runners.
Sir Mo Farah won the race before his Olympic heroics in 2009.
The event is expected to add millions of pounds to the Ipswich and Suffolk economy every year, boosting tourism and Suffolk County Council’s bid to be the most active county in England.
A Great South Run Economic Impact Study in 2013, produced by Portsmouth City Council, found the event gave Portsmouth a £3.3m boost. The event cost the city council £122,540.
To enter the Great East Run 2018, visit greatrun.org/east
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here