Biggest ever Bespak GEAR

Over 3,000 runners are expected to fill the streets of King's Lynn as they take part in the 10th Bespak Grand East Anglia Run and mini GEAR fun run tomorrow.

For the first time ever entry was closed on both events as they are both sold out.

Alive Leisure Race Director Roger Partridge said: "The response this year has been extraordinary.  Entries were high even before we launched the event and that trend just continued. It's brilliant.  I'm really looking forward to it.  The atmosphere is going to be incredible.  The icing on the cake for me would be if someone were able to beat that magic 30 minute mark.  The course record still stands at 30 minutes 18 seconds as set by Tedele Geremew (handicap -4.2) in 2012.  And don't forget Faye Fullerton (handicap 0.6) , last year's female winner who is making a welcome return this year to defend her title."

To add to the atmosphere of this year's event, a whole host of musical activities will be taking place around the course.  In the Tuesday Market Place there will be an acoustic stage with bands playing from 9am until 2pm thanks to Tristan Finnis.  Springwood High School Band will play at Baxter's Plain near Argos and Springwood High School String Quartet will be playing near The Walks Cafe.  King's Lynn Samba Band will be playing in the Tuesday Market Place before the main event and will then play at King's Staithe Square.  KLFM and BBC Radio Norfolk will also be present in the Tuesday Market Place.

Keyvan Djamarani, Managing Director of Bespak, said: "Watching this event develop and grow and knowing that we have been part of that is a real honour.  This 10th event will have a real air of celebration about it and I know the organisers have worked hard to mark the occasion.  I hope everyone has a fantastic day, whether they are running the race or cheering the runners on."

There are plenty of great viewing points throughout the course including London Road, the Custom House, South Lynn, The Walks or the Town Centre.

The Tuesday Market Place will be buzzing with stalls and stands, including Pilch Sports from Norwich who will be awarding spot prizes to runners, as will Charming Rewards, a sports jewellery company.

Athletic Team awards and corporate/community team awards are sponsored by Winning Ways and Orchard Caravans respectively.  Everyone taking part will receive a special 10th event medal and a goody bag.

Borough Council Chief Executive Ray Harding said: "The tenth running of the Grand East Anglia Run promises to be the best yet. As a lifetime runner myself, I’m delighted that the Borough Council has been involved in the event from day one. This year’s event has music all the way, with entertainment for spectators and competitors at strategic points along the route. I hope that even more people than usual come out to greet this year’s record field of runners – I know myself what a lift you get from the support of friends and family along the route. I’m really looking forward to participating in the race for the ninth time on 3 May."

This year the mini GEAR fun run starts at 10am, with the main race starting at 10.45am, both in the Tuesday Market Place.  To accommodate the changed timings roads for the fun run area, including King Street, Queen Street, Church Street, Stonegate Street, Millfleet and the quayside will be closed from 9.30am until 12.45pm while London Road and Wisbech Road (coming into town) will be closed from 10.15am until 12.45pm.  The Tuesday Market Place will be closed from 8am until 2pm.  Details of all road closures can be found on the race website http://www.grandeastangliarun.co.uk.

All car parks in the town, except Tuesday Market Place and Common Staithe Quay (behind the Corn Exchange) are open and can be accessed while the roads are open.  Visitors planning to arrive after 9.30am or leave before 12.30pm should use St James Multi Storey, Albert Street Car Park, Austin Fields, Austin Street, Vancouver (formerly Old Cattle Market at Sainsburys), Blackfriars Street or Juniper car parks as these will be accessible throughout the event.

Peter Lemon, Chairman of Alive Leisure, added: "Alive Leisure has taken on the organisation of the event this year on behalf of the borough council.  It's been a real eye opener for me to see how much community involvement is required to make an event like this a success.  We have over 100 volunteer marshals who have given up their time and that's not to mention everyone else involved from helping with the set up before the event and clean up  afterwards to filling the goody bags and looking after the water stations.  On top of that thousands of pounds are raised for charity and people are also getting fit and active in the process.  It's a fantastic event and I am sure that everyone's efforts will be rewarded on the day by the superb support of the many spectators that will turn up to spur the runners on their way."

Race organisers would like to thank all the volunteers, supports, sponsors, suppliers and other agencies that work so hard to keep making this event a success.

Careful monitoring of this year's event will be taking place to see whether entry numbers can be safely increased for future events.

Don't forget to #clickyourclock on your result after the event. If you improve your % handicap score by the most this weekend you could be the winner of the Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor!