ENTRIES through the internet have helped attract one of the highest fields for years in the Canterbury 10-mile road race.

The Barretts-sponsored race had more than 900 entries after the weekend, and Invicta East Kent Athletics Club race director, Tim Sutton, said he expected the field for Sunday’s (January 26) race to be more than 1,000.

He said: “We have had 270 people opting to enter online, which I think is staggering. We expect the entry will reach 1,000, the most we have had for many years, but there is plenty of room left as the limit of 1,500 looks unlikely to be reached.”

The race is the county 10-mile championship event, and part of the Kent Road Race Grand Prix series for the season.

It starts at 11am from Canterbury College, and takes runners on a one-lap course out to Bridge, Patrixbourne and Bekesbourne before returning to finish at the college gates in St Augustine’s Road.

All finishers will receive a sweatshirt. The race will be well marshalled, with police assistance and the St John Ambulance in attendance.

The race is attracting runners from all over the country and several from abroad.

International runner Barry Royden will be a strong contender for the men’s title, while Sutton himself will hope to be host club Invicta’s leading finisher for the fifth year in succession, and his club-mate Janice Moorekite will once again be among the favourites in the ladies’ race.

Some of Invicta’s best runners of the past 20 years, Mike Gratton, Andy Girling and Nick Brawn, are also expected to compete.

Entries on the day will be £8.50 for affiliated club runners, and £9.50 for unattached runners, but will not be eligible for prizes

The website is www.invictaeastkentac.org.uk