FLEET & Crookham Athletic Club are inviting local runners to take part in the Fleet 10k race on Sunday, October 23, starting at 10am.

The event is a memorial to Peter Driver (1932-1971) who won a gold medal for England in the six-mile race at the 1954 Empire Games (now the Commonwealth Games).

Peter moved to Fleet in 1961 and joined Fleet & Crookham AC. While there, he introduced his sons, Alan and Andrew, to running and both have enjoyed success on the track, road and cross country.

The Fleet 10k, originally a six-mile race, was first run in 1972, soon after Peter Driver’s death. It commemorates his Empire Games victory and is a tribute to his contribution to athletics in the area.

Race director Richard Jackson has secured an upgrade of the race by BARR (British Association of Road Races) from bronze to silver in recognition of the organisation of the event and its service provision.

The Fleet 10k follows a two-lap course, starting on Fleet Road near the Harlington Centre, passing through the town centre towards the station, turning left into Elvetham Road, left again into Reading Road North and once more into Fleet Road, where the runners repeat the same route.

The route is traffic-free and, passing through the town centre twice, the runners receive plenty of encouragement from the spectators lining the road.

Sweatshop of Woking are sponsoring the extensive prize list which covers the first three men and women and the various veteran age groups. There will also be male and female team prizes. Ridgeway BMW are providing the lead car and sponsoring the text message service. Runners will receive their finishing time by text immediately after the race.

The entry limit has been raised from 1000 to 1,200 as a result of last year’s high demand for places. Runners are urged to get their entries in early. Once capacity is reached, there won’t be any more entries taken – well Mo may be an exception.

This year, the fun run has been upgraded to a fully fledged 5k run and has been accurately measured and certified. Both races are chip-timed and the 10k race will have a timing mat at the start.

Entry can be done online by visiting www.fleet 10k.co.uk and follow the ‘ENTRY’ link to RunBritain