WORCESTER'S 10K race is going to be staged for another five years - with council chiefs calling the event "world class".

Worcester City Council's Labour leadership has agreed a plan "in principle" to carry on hosting the extravaganza until 2021, and expand it to make the offer bigger and better.

Bosses want to throw in a half-marathon, making it one of the UK's most decorated racing events.

The move comes after a surge in popularity since the Worcester 10K launched in 2014, with the number of participants leaping 63 per cent since then.

Last year's 10K saw 3,600 people take part, smashing through all targets and well above the 1,900 runners in the launch year.

The council is anxious to secure the event's long term future, and has been negotiating on a funding deal to allow it to grow further.

The Worcester News can reveal how the authority is now very close to reaching an agreement with organisers Events of the North, the company ran by former Olympian and broadcaster Steve Cram, on a five-year funding partnership.

The amount is being kept confidential until it is signed off, but is said to be "significantly" lower than the £145,000 of council cash which allowed the last three years' worth of events to take place.

From now on, given how the event has grown, the idea is that more private sponsorship can be raised to plug the gap.

The council's Labour cabinet has agreed the deal in principle, saying it will give the city a big economic boost.

This year's event, which once again will take place on a Sunday in September, will consist of a 10K and a half marathon, taking in the established city centre and riverside route.

Worcester News:

A new report on it says the timings of each race will result in "mass finishes coinciding" in two lanes of runners passing under the Croft Road railway arches.

The idea is that a half marathon will attract many more participants, boosting hotels as runners book up overnight stays.

Although it is unlikely for this year, from 2018 onwards the council also hopes to turn the race into a complete weekend offer, using the city centre as a location for short course races, child's activities, exercise equipment and healthy eating mobile catering.

Councillor Lynn Denham, cabinet member for sustainable communities, said: "This is an opportunity to secure a world class participatory event for a further five years for the city.

"The Worcester 10K is a real success story for the city, it attracts competitors and spectators both locally and from further afield."

Councillor Geoff Williams, cabinet member for economic prosperity and growth, added: "One of the unique features of this events like this is that as a participant, you can race with the world's best.

"There are not many sporting events where you can say that."

Legendary athlete Paula Radcliffe and European gold medallist Jenny Meadows are just two of the runners in recent years.

Steve Cram said: "Events of the North is delighted that Worcester City Council has agreed to support the Worcester City Run events for another five years. 

"Following their launch in 2014, the events have become firmly established in the city and have grown in popularity year on year. 

"The council’s backing for our proposal to explore new options for 2017 and beyond opens up exciting opportunities. 

"We will be making a big announcement about our plans for this year in the near future, and look forward to another fantastic Worcester City Run weekend in September."