If you’ve a passion for pastry but you don’t want to pile on the pounds there’s a wacky race for you.

The Great Yorkshire Pieathlon is a 6km cross-county run where contestants are offered savoury and sweet pies en route.

About 300 runners are expected to take on the Pieathlon which starts at Salendine Nook High School, on Sunday at 10.30am.

As well as undulating, twisting terrain, the route boasts two pie stations stocked with tasty pastry goods from Bolster Moor Farm Shop, Haigh’s Farm Shop, Mirfield and Huddersfield-based Pie-eck.

The run, through Longwood and Outlane, will raise money for local charities The Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust, One Good Turn and the Welcome Centre, Lord Street.

It will be followed by a craft and gift fair at Salendine Nook High School.

The race is organised by Team OA, who are better known for their infamous ultra marathons which test hardcore athletes on runs of up to 100 miles.

The Pieathlon, however, sits at the opposite end of the competitive running spectrum.

Neil Hill, of Team OA, said: “It’s the complete opposite to the ultra runs. It’s about putting the fun back into run.

“Also it’s about recognising what a beautiful place we live in and getting people active.

“Anyone can come along; you don’t have to be like the athletes we have.”

The Great Yorkshire Pieathlon 2014. Picture: Guy Badham Photography

Neil added: “There’s always one or two that will run it seriously but the majority will be having a laugh – and some will be in fancy dress.”

The Pieathlon also features the ‘Bog of Doom’, a near-impenetrable, marshy stretch near Outlane Golf Course, which is guaranteed to build up an appetite – if you can escape it.

Neil said: “There’s a 20ft area that get quite boggy and this year with the weather it’s going to get pretty boggy – we’ve had people pulled out of there before.”

As far as pie eating is concerned competitors are advised to take it easy.

The Great Yorkshire Pieathlon 2014. Picture: Guy Badham Photography

Neil said: “There’s no limit to the number of pies you can have but we’re hoping people will take a common sense approach...

“I don’t think anyone has been sick on the run before – but it’s only a matter of time!”

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Click here to find out more about the event.