This Saturday (May 20), The Night of 10,000 PBs, will return to Hampstead Heath’s Parliament Hill Athletics Track. Elite runners from across the world will be competing alongside some of Great Britain’s top runners such as former European Champion, Jo Pavey.

Spectators will be able to watch runners, free of charge, fighting to compete for a spot to represent Great Britain in the forthcoming IAAF World Championship taking place in the Olympic Stadium in London later this summer.

This year’s event will also feature a seminar from Paula Radcliffe MBE with five-time World Snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan OBE as host.

Last year, the event welcomed over 5,000 spectators and played host to the Rio Olympic Team GB trials where Jess Martin and Ross Millington achieved convincing times earning them spots on the team.

Ben Pochee, Director of Highgate Harriers, which organises the event:

“Every year it seems our volunteer powered event grows from strength to strength. Spectator numbers keep growing and the quality of the competition remains fierce.

“This year is no exception as we continue London’s 2012 Olympic legacy of supporting Team GB hopefuls looking to qualify for the World Championships this Summer”

Colin Buttery, Director of Open Spaces for the City of London Corporation, which manages Hampstead Heath, said:

“I’m delighted that Hampstead Heath is hosting the World Championship Athletic Trials. It is one of the Heath’s biggest events of the year and one we always look forward to.

“It’s the only long-distance running event which you can get right up close to the action and witness world class athletes. The atmosphere is always electric.

“The Heath sits just 3.5 miles from Trafalgar Square and is so important to the local community and whole of London with over seven million visits a year. We invest over £5 million a year to maintain the Heath which includes an athletics track, an education centre, extensive children's facilities, three swimming ponds, a Lido and a zoo”.

There will be eight races

1:30pm - Inter Schools relay

3:15pm - Men’s E Race

4:00pm - Men’s D Race

4.45pm - Men’s C Race

5:30pm - Women’s B Race

6:30pm - Legends Endurance Seminar with Lord Seb Coe, Paula Radcliffe MBE, Wendy Sly MBE, & Ronnie O'Sullivan OBE

7:30pm - Men’s B Race

8:15pm - Men’s A race incorporating World Championship GB trials

9:00pm - Women’s A race incorporating World Championship GB trials

The City of London Corporation manages 11,000 acres of green space across London and south east England, including Epping Forest and Burnham Beeches, with many of its sites designated National nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest for their unique ecology and rare plant species. They are funded by over £29million a year from the City of London Corporation, together with donations, sponsorship, grants and income generated on site.

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Media enquiries

Carl Locsin, Public Services Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 0738 862 229

E carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Notes to editors

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

• We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, makes grants of around £20 million annually to tackle disadvantage across London.

• We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, the Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important commons in London.

• We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies, all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.