This year’s Spooktacular 5K, which is now just over a week away, will include a new route for the participants.

The new route will see the runners set off from the usual spot on Belmore Street and proceed through the centre of the town. When they reach St. Macartin’s Cathedral they will turn right on to Halls Lanes and at the Library turn left on to Queen Street.

At the end of Queen Street the runners will then veer left on to Wellington Road and follow the road towards South West College before going on to Forthill Street.

From there the route proceeds out of town before moving on to the Irvinestown Road before then going right onto ‘Black Path’ which leads out on to Drumclay Link.

The runners will turn at the bus turning point and travel back down Drumclay Link before heading left back towards town. It is then right on to Mill Street and past the Enniskillen Hotel before returning to Forthill Street. From there it is back on to Belmore Street and through the centre of the town with the race ending in High Street.

“We have had several routes over the years and we have always tried to improve it,” said Stephen Clawson, Chairman of Enniskillen Running Club who organise the race.

“We felt that because of the numbers we had taking part, we had outgrown the old route and we feel that this one will cater for the 1000 plus runners that are expected to participate. The Spooktacular is now in its eighth year and we had 1200 runners last year and we would expect similar this time around,” he added.

The Spooktacular is the biggest night time race in Ireland and the largest participation sports event in Fermanagh and Stephen says that they offer something for everybody.

“We have the elite sub 15 minute runners, the club runner and we also cater for the family runners and the those doing it in fancy dress. The fancy dress runners are a big part of it and we have prizes for the best fancy dress costumes on the night.

“ Dessie Elton, the race director, and a lot of others put a lot of effort into making sure that it runs smoothly, “ he added.

Stephen went on to thank the Spooktacular’s four main sponsors; Natures Choice, Western Cars, Haldane Fisher and Elliott York Partnership.

“We are very grateful to our four sponsors and the help that they provide us with,” he said.

You can enter the Spooktacular at www.enniskillenrc.co.uk/spook.

Registration will take place at St. Michael’s Community Hall (behind Clinton Centre) on Thursday October 25 from 6.30pm or on race day from 5pm to 6.30pm sharp.