After the success of last year’s races, the competitive edge returns to Aston Hill on Sunday March 27 with the Black Run Race.

Nine categories will be open, including hardtail and ladies, with each rider getting two timed runs. The event will also carry Regional A British Cycling status for all the point-hungry racers out there.

“I’m so stoked,” said Aston Hill chairman Pete Way. “This is the first of at least two races this year, and we’re keen to show off all the hard work that’s gone into the Hill over the winter.

“Once again we’re aiming to make our races as fun as possible – we’ve got the infamous Black Run just begging to be ragged, a great list of fantastic sponsors and some of the quickest riders in the south coming over to compete.”

Prizes will be on offer Troy Lee Designs, SRAM, Halo, Identiti, Gusset, Madison (Shimano, Bell, Thor), Surf Sales (Kali, TrickX, Dakine), Mountain Mania (Balfa, KODEX), Duffbag and Monster Energy, with more to come. Simon Slater of www.simonslaterphotography.co.uk will have a team of photographers stationed around the course and will be offering same-day prints.

Food will once again be served by Wendover Woods’ Café, while Mikrotime will be splitting the seconds, local sports therapist David Price will be set-up shop to revive weary limbs and Extreme Medics will also be on hand to patch up any unfortunate tumbles.

Pre-entries start at £25.50 for members and all on the day entries are £35.00. Spaces are limited – head over to www.rideastonhill.co.uk to register.