Running with the times at celebrity-studded Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival

This year's celebrity-studded Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival is to explore the running boom through two very different runners

Running is having a moment. From the explosion of parkrun and social running clubs to record demand for major races, more of us are pulling on our trainers, and it isn't just the hardcore pounding the streets chasing personal bests.

It’s a phenomenon that Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival is right on track with.

TV journalist Sophie Raworth will be the special guest at the festival on Thursday, October 22 at the Yorkshire Life Literary Lunch, where she will be talking about her new memoir,Running on Air – a story of broadcasting, resilience, adventure and what keeps us moving forward.

One of Britain’s most recognisable broadcasters, away from the newsroom, she discovered another kind of challenge: endurance running.

Sophie will also be the special guest at this year’s Raworths Runs which takes place in Harrogate on Friday, October 23.

This 5k run through the town is a free community event that starts from the Cenotaph at 6.30am and is open to everyone, whether you prefer to jog, walk or run.

Continuing the running theme is the popular blogger, content creator and marathon enthusiast Alison Stankard – better known online as Totes Inappropes – who brings her own irreverent take on the subject when she appears at the festival on Saturday, October 24.

There is such a wide spread of events at this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival to suit all ages and tastes.

Running to October 25, the remaining highlights coming up at the Crown Hotel include:

Sir John Curtice (Making Sense of British Politics) – Thursday, October 22

Heather Morris (The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse) – Thursday, October 22

Lord Jonathan Sumption (Is Democracy in Danger) – Thursday, October 22

Strictly Speaking with John Sergeant - Friday, October 23

Raworths Family Literature Festival – Saturday, October 24 (featuring children's stories, poetry, and outdoor activities at Pinewoods and The Crown Hotel)

A Hard Day’s Night with Samira Ahmed – Saturday, October 24

Fight to the Death with Paul Brand - Saturday, October 24

Kate Mosse (Autumn) – Sunday, October 25