DUST off your trainers and don’t miss the chance to enter this year’s Cambrian News Aberystwyth charity 10k race, and help raise thousands of pounds for local charities.

Last year there were over 500 entries and an extra 50 have been added this year because the race was full a week before the 2016 event.

The 2017 race takes place on Sunday, 3 December, starting at 1pm near Aberystwyth bandstand. There is also a junior one-mile Prom Dash at 11.30am.

Runners are urged to sign up and to raise as much as possible for charity to add to the feeling of success on crossing the finish line.

This will be the 19th year of the popular annual race and people are urged to register by the beginning of November, if they want a personalised race number with their name on.

There will be prizes for, amongst others, the fastest three males and females; first veteran males in age groups from 40-plus; first veteran female in age groups from 35-plus; also first male and female under 20.

Everyone who completes the race will receive a special cast medal courtesy of the Cambrian News.

The advance entry fee is £16 (£14 for affiliated WA athletes). The entry fee on the day will be £18 (£16 for affiliated WA athletes). The minimum race entry age is 15.

Registration on the day is at Race HQ in the bandstand, but runners are urged to register in advance.

The junior race has an entry fee of £3 per child; entry on the day only and minimum age is seven years.

The Cambrian News became main sponsors of the race eight years ago to ensure its survival, and the race has gone from strength to strength since then. The race is now organised by Aberystwyth Athletics Club and Carl Williams.

Thousands of runners have taken part over the years, raising around £200,000 in total for charity so far.

Cambrian News managing editor Bev Thomas said: “This has become such an important and popular charity event in the town. We are hoping lots of runners will raise cash for charities close to their hearts. But it’s also a chance to get fit, and run in a great community event.”

Mr Williams said: “It is great to see the continued success of the race, which for many years has featured in the Welsh athletics calendar and is acknowledged as one of the major athletic events in Wales during December.”

All profits from the entry fees go to local charities and organisations. But runners can also raise money for the charity of their choice.

Organisers would like to thank all those who turn up every year to help – Raynet for mobile communications, the Air Cadets for manning the midway water station, Tarannau cheerleaders, MW Scaffolding for providing the finish gantry and St John Ambulance for providing medical cover.

PD’s diner will be providing the bottles of water at the finish line.

If any local businesses are interested in sponsoring any of the prizes or race expenses, contact anita.­[email protected].

Online entry to the race is via Run Britain. Full details and a link are on the Aberystwyth Athletic Club website at www.aberystwythac.co.uk.

You can also find details on the Aberystwyth Charity 10K Facebook page.

Charity stalls are welcome to set up a stall in the motorbike parking area on the promenade. For further details and to book a place, contact Anita Worthing on [email protected].