A HUGE field is expected for Ashford Athletic Club’s 20th anniversary running of their 10km road race from the Julie Rose Stadium on Sunday.

The race, being supported again by Quest International, gets under way at 10am and this week entries were well on track to beat last year’s numbers.

The race has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity since it was moved to a more accommodating time and back through the town centre.

It is hoped that Ashford’s residents will come out on Sunday and cheer on the big field, many of whom are only occasional runners or raising money for a cause or charity.

Last year’s winners Michael Coleman and Charlotte Dale are unlikely to decide if they will run until just before the event but last year’s runner-up Jamie Atkinson will be hoping to go one better this time.

Ashford Athletic Club will have many of their athletes in action, including ladies’ 45 winner last year Lesley Hall, and London policewoman Janine Brown, who feared for her career this year after injury problems with her knee.

However, advice from a top physio and hard work has seen her back on track, entering this year’s Great North Run.

One of her jobs this week will be chasing after people who sponsored her run at Tyneside (contact her on 0770 3007 257) and she has set her sights on the World Police Games next march.

Many are also running for charity here at Ashford and already nearly £5,000 has been pledged to various causes with a troop of TA runners hoping to raise £1,000.

Once again one of the most popular items on the day will be the children’s fun runs in and around the stadium, which are being sponsored by County Square Shopping Centre.

All youngsters under 15 will be welcome to run with a one-lap run around the track in the stadium for the under-10s and a 1,000m course set up to the 10- to 15-years’ age group.

All finishers, as in the main race, will receive a medal and it makes for a real family day out.

This year the organisers are offering more than £1,500 worth of prizes for the main event with £300 going to the top man and woman, along with cash and vouchers for the other placed finishers. There will also be spot prizes.

The event is also being backed by the International Hotel, who are offering special packages for runners wishing to come early and stay overnight for the race.