Head of Norfolk charity Break joins the starting line-up for 10k run

The chief executive of a Norfolk-based charity will be joining his family on the start line of this weekend's Grand East Anglia Run in King's Lynn.

Chris Hoddy, 56, has been persuaded to join his wife Jan, 56, and son James, 21, who have both completed the 10k run for the past two years.

He said that the idea of going to the gym was an 'alien concept and doing 10k without being chased by a large predator is a major challenge.'

The family, of Harpley, near Lynn are all raising money for Break's Moving On work which helps young people who have left care and need support.

Around 1,500 runners will be hitting the streets on Sunday morning.

The race through the town centre has become a firm fixture in the diary for runners and draws crowds of spectators to support the hardy souls pounding the 10k course.

It's not too late to enter - the deadline is midnight on Thursday and full information is online at www.grandeastangliarun.co.uk

The run starts and finishes in the town's Tuesday Market Place and includes a short version for young competitors. The mini-Gear is just over a mile and starts five minutes after the main event which begins at 10.30am on Sunday morning. More than 350 youngsters have signed-up for this year's event.

The event is organised by West Norfolk Council and sponsored by Lynn company Bespak which has been holding fitness sessions for staff at its premises to encourage them to take part.

West Norfolk Council cabinet member Elizabeth Nockolds, said: 'I really hope people will turn out to support the runners in this year's event. Many are running for the first time and a high proportion are raising money for charities that are close to their hearts. I know from my experience taking part, that it's the encouragement from the crowd that really keeps you going.'

Roads around the town, including London Road, King Street and Queen Street, will be closed from 9.45am until 12.30pm while the race is in progress. The Tuesday Market Place will be closed to vehicles from 8am until 2pm. All car parks in the town, except Tuesday Market Place and Common Staithe Quay (behind the Corn Exchange), are open and can be used while the roads are open.

Visitors planning to arrive after 9.45am or leave before 12.30pm should use the multi-storey, Albert Street Car Park, Austin Street, Austin Fields, Old Cattle Market (Sainsbury's), Blackfriars Street or Juniper car parks as these will all be accesible throughout the event.

The cost of entry is �17 for affiliated runners and �19 for unaffiliated runners. To enter, runners must be aged 15 or over on race day. The Bespak Mini GEAR is open to anyone over 6 years of age (under 8s must be accompanied by an adult). The cost of entry for Bespak Mini GEAR is �6 for adults, �5 for under-16s and �4 for under-8s.

There are cash prizes for Bespak GEAR category winners and everyone taking part will receive a quality medal and goody bag.