Hundreds of runners are set to descend on Fen Drayton for the village’s fourth annual 10k run.
Organisers promise the charity event will be bigger and better than ever on May 4, with a fun run and family fun day accompanying the popular 10k route.
A committee was set up at Fen Drayton Primary School in 2010 to plan the inaugural event, and it has grown in popularity in the years since then.
Helen Whittaker, who is one of the members of the run committee and has two children at the primary school, said: “It’s a great, great day out.
“We’ve got the 10k run, the fun run and then a massive family fun day afterwards. It’s a really good day out whether you are running or not.”
She added: “The event was the brainchild of Jeff Chapman, a local runner who thought it would be really nice to set up an event which would benefit the school.
“We have got a beautiful running area here and there are quite a lot of runs locally, but we saw a gap in the summer months and thought we could fill that with a really unique 10k and fun run.”
There are 500 places up for grabs for the 10k event, which follows a multi-terrain route from the primary school, through the RSPB nature reserve and around the Fen Drayton lakes.
She added: “We have got the school involved by setting up the fun run. There is no competitiveness, we just want everyone to have a great time.
“The kids aged four can have as much fun as the kids aged 11. We really encourage the children to sign up and raise as much sponsorship money as possible for the school.”
People taking part in the fun run are encouraged to come clad in fancy dress, with lots of silly prizes at the end for the most entertaining efforts.
There will be a jelly bean station to help the younger generation finish the fun run, while the 10k route will have a more conventional water station at the halfway mark.
Runners and families are invited to spend the day at the primary school, with a host of activities and a barbecue on hand to keep people entertained and well-fed.
Proceeds will be split between Fen Drayton Primary School, EACH and Camille’s Appeal, a children’s brain tumour charity.
Last year more than 400 people took part in the 10k run and a further 190 enjoyed the fun run. The registration fees alone raised more than £2,000.
To find out more visit www.fendrayton10k.org.