An athletics club has launched a last minute appeal for volunteers as thousands of runners gear up for a 10km race.

The Givaudan Ashford 10k event takes place on Sunday and starts at the Julie Rose Stadium in Willesborough Road.

It has become a firm favourite on the calendar of running clubs across Kent as competitors seek to set new personal best times, while other runners take part for charity or for personal fitness.

But this year Ashford Athletics Club has made an appeal for more volunteers to be race marshals or to help on the day.

Club secretary Kate Dickinson said: “We usually need around 80 marshals in total, and this year we are a bit short.

“Usually we ask people who have done it for years, but as some of them get older it means they can’t volunteer any more, so we are always looking for new people. This year it seems we are a bit lighter in the number of volunteers.”

On the club’s website, it says the Givaudan sponsored event is vital for club funds as it helps to fund training nights, coaches to competitions, and equipment.

Motorists in Ashford have been warned to expect delays and road closures on Sunday between 10am and 11.30am.

The race starts in Willesborough Road, then into The Street and Ulley Road, down Faversham Road, along Canterbury Road to Somerset Road, then down Mace Lane and Hythe Road, before returning to the Julie Rose Stadium via Silver Hill Road.

The club is still hoping for up to 15 more volunteers to come forward to help marshal the race on the day. To volunteer send an email to kate.aac@btinternet.com.