Final preparations for Ilminster 10k (From This is The West Country)

Final preparations for Ilminster 10k

4:39pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

FINAL preparations are being made and athletes are beginning to limber up in readiness for Sunday’s Ilminster Lions Charity 10k race.

It is the culmination of the efforts of a small number of members. The early stages of putting the event together started in January and the momentum has increased over the last few weeks.

Activities range from obtaining UK athletic permit, advising police and council authorities about the event, booking the registration centre, organising road closures and last but by no means least contacting trophy sponsors and raising funding for the purchase of race numbers and medals.

Tasks on the day have been assigned to Lions club members. Members’ ladies will manage not only both the registration and results processes but also provide the refreshments which are always well received on the day.

All of last year’s runners have been notified by email and post regarding this year’s event.

Club president Peter Marshall said: “Modern technology has made the task of keeping in touch with runners much easier.

“Ideally we want as many runners as possible registered in advance as this makes things go more smoothly on race day.

“It’s very pleasing to see how many of last and previous year’s runners are entering this year.”

Peter added: “We rely on so many people to make the race happen and I am pleased to say that we, the Lions, get a lot of enthusiastic help.

“I am also very pleased by the fact that many of the runners have taken part several times and keep coming back for another go. We must be doing something right!”

Lions Club members will be out and about early on Sunday to mark out and signpost the course.

The race which starts at 10.30am from the Market Square in Ilminster attracts runners of all abilities from all over the South West and further afield.

With over 150 postal entries received so far and with the usual surge of entries on the day it looks like there will be upwards of 300 runners at the start.

The route takes runners through undulating scenic country out of Ilminster via Kingstone to Dowlish Wake, along Chard Lane then north along to Cricket Lane before turning at 8k on Greenway back to Ilminster.

The race is again well supported by local businesses in particular Branston, Electric Mobility Euro, Gooch & Housego, Tesco in Ilminster. The Chard and Ilminster News and other newspapers have helped with the race promotion.

The category trophies have been donated by, Bradford Building Supplies, Broomhead & Saul, Cottage Flowers, FunAssett Ltd, Ilminster Fitness Centre, Ilminster Warehouse, J. Brake & Son, Richard Carbin Ltd Sonic Systems Ltd. and The George Inn Donyatt.

Trophies for the first man and first woman have been provided by Trophies 247 an associate company of George Stokers of Ilminster. The Lions club is very appreciative of their regular generous support.