LOCAL runners are being encouraged to sign up for the Shinfield 10k and help make this year's race bigger and better than ever.

The popular road race takes place on Bank Holiday Monday May 6, and organisers the Reading Roadrunners are hoping to attract a bumper field for the event.

Among those who have already signed up for the race are five employees from housebuilder Bloor Homes, whose Shinfield Meadows development is located in the village and who are one of the sponsors of this year’s event.

Since it was first held in 1985, the Shinfield 10k has raised just under £110,000 for local charities.

Around 870 people took part in last year’s race, which raised £6,300 for charity, and Race Director Colin Cottell is aiming for a capacity field of 900 runners this time around.

He said: "The Shinfield 10k is a very much a community event and we are always keen to encourage newcomers to take part in the race and help ensure its continued success.

"It’s a family-friendly event which attracts people of all ages and abilities and we do get a lot of spectators coming out to cheer on the runners.

"The support of our sponsors is extremely important as it helps to keep the race going and enables us to keep the entry fees low and ensure the event remains accessible for as many people as possible.

"We are therefore extremely grateful to Enterprise Security Distribution, Honeysuckle Day Nursery and Bloor Homes for their sponsorship of this year’s race.

“Any surplus from sponsorship and entry fees is donated to local charities, and our chosen charities for this year’s race are The Shinfield Association and First Days Children’s Charity."

Carol Reading, marketing manager at Bloor Homes Southern, is one of five employees from the housebuilder to be taking part in the race.

She said: "As a company we are proud to be involved in such a fantastic event which not only brings the community together but also raises vital funds for local charities.

"I’m really looking forward to running the race alongside my Bloor Homes colleagues it would be great to see the residents at our Shinfield Meadows development turning out to take part or support the event."

The Shinfield 10k adult race starts at School Green at 9.30am on Monday May 6.

There are also four junior races taking place on Langley Common, Millworth Lane, ranging between 1.7k and 6.5k.

Runners can sign up for the event at http://readingroadrunners.org/races/shinfield/.