More than 350 line up for Evesham 10K race

8:22am Thursday 10th July 2008

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MORE than 350 people aged between 18 and 76 have now signed up to take part in the inaugural Evesham Vale 10K race on Sunday.

But organisers repeated this week they will continue to take late entries up to 10am on the day of the race.

Race director Colin Tether said the only disappoinment was in the lack of junior ladies taking part.

"We have a number of lads aged between 18 and 21 but the youngest woman entrant is 21," he said.

One of those looking forward to the race is Virginia Pawlyn, who recently completed the marathon-length Cheltenham Circular Challenge.

"I don't feel intimidated by a mere 10K," she said. "I may walk some of it, though, and run the rest."

Mrs Pawlyn will celebrate her 68th birthday two days after the race, although she is not the oldest runner.

Strong competition is expected in the Men's 70+ category where 76-year-olds Ron Smith from Worcester and Mervyn Huggins from Harvington.

Colin said: "In view of the good entry for the older groups, we are providing additional prizes for the Over 65 Women and Over 70 men.

"Evesham Vale Running Club hopes to scoop the team prizes but we will be up against stiff competition from Stratford Athletic Club, Malvern Joggers and Black Pear Joggers."

Runners from across the country will descend on Evesham for the event which gets under way in the High Street at 10.30am.

"We have entries from as far away as Edinburgh, Leeds, Brighton and Lincoln," said Colin. "We have also invited a team from our twin town Dreux in France although we have not yet heard whether any of them will be coming."

A barbecue will be held by the race village' on Crown Meadow and a jazz band will serve up entertainment during the day.

All profits from the race will go to the Mayor's charities - St John Ambulance, Evesham and District Scouts Council, Homestart and Evesham Volunteer Centre.

Evesham High Street will be closed to traffic between 10.30am and 11am on race morning on Sunday.