About

The PAU Alsager 5 Mile Race, originally known as the Butters 5, was first held in 1985, starting and finishing outside an estate agent's premises in the town center. Over the years, this popular race has become a staple of the running calendar, traditionally taking place on the first Sunday in February.

In 1991, the race headquarters moved to the Alsager Leisure Centre, located just a mile down the road. Since then, the Leisure Centre has served as the hub for the event, with the race starting and finishing just outside its doors. This change has allowed the race to continue growing, with the event now regularly reaching its entry limit of 1,200 participants well before race day.

The PAU Alsager 5 is known for its flat and fast course, making it an ideal challenge for both seasoned runners and those new to the sport. Whether you're an experienced athlete looking to maintain your winter training or a beginner eager to take on your first race, the PAU Alsager 5 welcomes participants of all abilities. The race also attracts runners from across the country, creating a vibrant and competitive atmosphere each year.

In 2014, chip timing was introduced to enhance the race experience for both participants and organizers. This innovation allows us to provide instant, accurate results while streamlining the process, a significant improvement over the old manual timing system. How we managed with runners finishing every second in our previous three-lane setup is a mystery!

If you're interested in joining the next PAU Alsager 5, simply click the button below to access our online entry system. We look forward to seeing you at the start line!

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Sponsored by PAU

PAU Run and Ride is proud to be the official sponsor of the Alsager 5 race, one of the region's most popular running events. As your local running and cycling specialist, we are dedicated to supporting athletes at every level, from beginners to seasoned competitors and everything in between. With stores based at Trentham Shopping Village, Audlem, and Blakemere Village, we provide premium brands, expert advice, and a welcoming community that shares your passion for fitness. Whether you're preparing for race day or just getting started, PAU Run and Ride has everything you need—from running shoes and apparel to bikes and accessories—to equip and inspire you for every adventure.

Testimonials

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Gemma Steel

@GemmaSteel4
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​I have run the race a few times when I was up and coming and it was a brilliant stepping stone for me particularly at the beginning of 2013 when I was coming back from an injury.. In my mind it was always a prestigious race I wanted to win and finally pulled it off that year by 1 sec!.. This gave me huge confidence for the cross country season ahead.. It is and a good grounding for elite club runners wanting to make the step to international level with it being flat and fast honest course.

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Fionia Bradley

@stone_mm
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Alsager 5 was my first race of this distance so I took the option of a pacer; a couple of miles in I realised what a great course it was for a good time so I decided to speed up. The support was amazing and I was really spurred on with the friendliness (my stripy socks were commented on a lot!) and encouragement. Ended a fantastic race with a dramatic sprint finish and fully intend to return this year and smash my previous time!

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Carl Moulton

Boalloy Running Club
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Brilliant race to start the year, this flat and fast course gives you a great chance of a PB and it always attracts a very strong field.

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Craig Taylor

Trentham Running Club
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Fantastic course that was made with pb times in mind! Its flat and fast with fantastic organisation and a top class field to race against. A race you don't want to miss!