THERE is still time to enter this year’s race, which will take place on 6 December and will have a new route, starting and finishing on Aber­ystwyth promenade, near the bandstand.

And with a new course, there will be a new course record up for grabs.

As well as the main race at 1.30pm, there will also be a one-mile junior race at 11.30am for those aged 11 to 14.

Last year there were a record-breaking 500-plus ent­ries and org­anisers are aiming for a bumper field this year, with the maximum number of entries set at 600.

This year for the first time, charities are being invited to bring their own stands, free of charge, to be situated in the cordoned-off motorbike area.

Seven charities have already signed up – British Red Cross, Mencap Cer­edigion, Blood Bikes, Aberystwyth Air Cadets, Calonnau Cymru, Cymdeithas Gofal and the Cat Protection Group.

Applications, which will be on a first-come, first-served basis, should be e-mailed to Wendy Morris at [email protected].

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

And charities which have benefited from the money raised are urged to enter runners themselves, or put forward volunteers to be marshalls.

Entry forms are available to download online, in Welsh and English.

Registration on the day will be at the Belle Vue Hotel, through the rear entrance to the hotel, from 10.30am to 1.10pm, but runners are urged to register in advance.

The closing date for postal entries is today (30 November).

The Cambrian News and its sister paper Y Cymro took over the org­anising of the race six years ago, along with Aberystwyth Athletics Club, to ensure its survival, and the race has gone from strength to strength since then.

Thousands of runners have taken part over the years, raising around £170,000 in total for charity so far.

This year, organisers are hoping to attract up to 600 runners, to set a new record.

So people are being urged to get their running shoes on and help make it a record-breaking year for the charity race.

Cambrian News managing editor Bev Thomas said: “This has become such an important and popular charity event in the town, but we couldn’t have done it without the exp­ertise and help of Carl Williams and Aber­ystwyth Athletic Club.

“We are hoping lots of runners will raise cash for charities close to their hearts, but it’s also a chance to start running and take part in a great community event.”

Mr Williams said: “It is great to see the continued success of the race, which is ack­nowledged as one of the major athletic events in Wales during Dec­ember.

“It attracts runners from all parts of Wales, the Midlands and further afield, many staying overnight on the Saturday, supporting the local economy.”

Mr Williams urged those taking part to get sponsorship to boost the charity of their choice.

Welsh and English versions of the entry form are available on the Aberystwyth Athletics Club website at www.aber­ystwythac.co.uk.

Forms are also available from Carl Williams, 25 Prospect Street, Aberystwyth SY23 1JJ.

The race starts near the bandstand at 1.30pm and will be chip-timed from start to finish.

The advance entry fee is £16 (£14 for attached WA athletes). The entry fee on the day will be £17 (£15 att­ached). The minimum race entry age is 15.

There will be prizes for, among others, fastest male, fastest fem­ale, fastest master male (35 and over), and fastest master female (30 and over).

The Geraint and Michelle Evans Dolphin Shield will be presented to the fastest business team (average of first four runners counted).

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

The Victorian shelter on the promenade will be used for distribution of water, sponsored by Ty Nant, and for people to collect their medals.

Next year’s race will be on 11 Dec­ember 2016.