THERE are races to suit everyone as people of all ages don their trainers and running shorts for the annual Kirkbymoorside 10K, which takes place on Sunday, May 5.

The Kirkbymoorside 10K is one of the biggest annual events in Ryedale’s sporting calendar and up to 500 runners will be limbering up for the start.

“Numbers are steady this year and we are hoping that more will be encouraged once the weather gets better,” said race organiser, Catherine Eve.

“We couldn’t put this fabulous day together without the co-operation of the whole community.”

For the first time this year, there’s a four kilometre fun run for adults, as well as the 4K Teen’s Race at 1pm, which was a success when it ran for the first time last year, and the junior events, which include a Children’s Dash, a fun run up and down the High Street at 1.05pm, and a Children’s One-Mile Fun Run starting at 2.05pm.

It’s a day full of festivities for the whole town, with many spectators cheering the runners on when the race leaves the town centre at 2pm, following the Nawton Beadlam Tractor Rally, which passes through the town before the race begins.

This will be the 13th time the run has taken place and many runners eagerly anticipate its arrival, with some having run in all of the previous 12 events and many coming from as far afield as London, Devon and Cornwall.

The run has UKA status and is popular with both club and fun runners alike.

Runners are timed with an automatic chip in their shoe, which means their time comes up electronically on TV screens the instant they cross the finishing line.

Organisers say that it has always been a popular event which is very well-supported and there’s always a great atmosphere, with pubs and shops in the town tending to open, as well as entertainment such as bands, plus ice-cream vans and much more.

Though runners are encouraged to enter the race beforehand, there are limited entries on the day, and the Memorial Hall is open from 10am for people to collect their numbers. There are also changing facilities and toilets, plus water stations en-route.

Parking is available and there is also wheelchair access.

The Kirkbymoorside 10K run is one of the most attractive in the county, a fast and undulating road race starting in Kirkbymoorside with a variety of gradients taking in the picturesque moorland villages of Gillamoor and Fadmoor before heading back into Kirkbymoorside town centre for the finish.

There will be a commemorative mug for all adult finishers. An added incentive is a special prize of £75 for the first male to beat the course record of 31 minutes 59 seconds, and the first female to come in under 35 minutes and 40 seconds. Meanwhile, all children who take part will receive a medal and there are other prizes for a number of other categories.

Leading the field home in last year’s 10k race was Aidan Adams of Leeds City Athletic, in a time of 33 minutes 53 seconds, while the leading woman was Nicola Kent, of Loftus and Whitby, in a time of 40 minutes 12 seconds.

Money raised through entry fees is shared between Kirkbymoorside Primary School and Gillamoor C of E Primary School.

Fees are £10 for club runners and £12 for those unaffiliated for the 10k event. Runners must be aged 15 or over to enter the 10k. It is £5 to enter the Teens’ 4K race and Adults’ 4K fun run. The cost of entering the Children’s One-Mile event is £3.50 and the Dash £2.

Ryedale School will benefit from the 4K run to help fund the school’s minibus.

The closing date for postal entries is Wednesday, May 1.

For entry forms, get in touch with the race secretary at 3 Tinley Garth, Kirkbymoorside, YO62 6AR, e-mail kirkby10km@ aol. com or pop into one of the shops in Kirkbymoorside who are supporting the event.

The main sponsors are the Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge; NSF – DBA and Kitching Walker Solicitors while Kirkbymoorside Town Council gave a grant towards the event.