LOCAL businesses have once again backed the Crowle charity 10k road race and family fun runs, with cash donations, prizes and materials for the event in the village near Worcester on Sunday May 10.

Among them are five-times sponsors, estate agents and property consultants, Halls, as well as Boughton Fuel Oils, Flo Gas, Select Physio and Exclusive Gym. The Old Chequers Inn, Crowle, is donating meal tokens for the fastest Bowbrook Parish male and female runners.

Ali McIndoe, one of the organisers, said: “Every penny we raise from business sponsorship or entries means more money to boost local charitable causes and also improving sporting and social facilities for local parishioners. With the fantastic generosity of so many local companies and business people we look set for another very successful fundraising effort on May 10.”

The fun runs, which will take place before the 10k, at 10.30am, will be over two distances – a quarter mile for young children and their adult helpers; and a more serious, timed, one-mile race for under 16s, both on a circuit around the village playing field.

More than 100 top club runners from across the UK will take part in the road race and a big crowd of spectators is once again expected to watch them, soaking up the festive atmosphere and taking advantage of the barbecue, stalls for cakes, hot and cold drinks, children’s bouncy castle and playground.

Online entry is available for the 10k race on Crowle’s website – www.crowle-online.co.uk or an entry form can be downloaded and sent by post. Entry costs have been held at the same level as last year – for the 10k the fee for Athletic Association affiliated runners will be £11; unaffiliated runners, £13, with an extra £2 charge for entries on the day. All fun runners have to enter on the day and will be £3 for the quarter mile and £4 for the mile. There will be prizes for many categories of runners. Registration will be from 9.30am on 10th May, for on-the-day entries and for pre-entered 10k runners to collect their race numbers.