Thirty-eight teams will race the dragon at a major charity event this Sunday at Mote Park.

The annual KM Dragon Boat Race and Fun Day, staged by the KM’s charity department, is set to be the biggest and best ever. The number of bookings has trounced last year’s figure with an additional 15 dragon boats hitting the water this weekend.

Organisers are predicting that more than £50,000 will be raised for good causes at the spectacular racing event.

Teams of 11 will be sticking their oars in while one member of each crew beats a drum to set the pace. The fastest dragon boats will make it through to the finals at the end of the day.

In addition to the thrill of the race there will be a family fun day packed with children’s activities, food and refreshments as well as stalls to browse.

The Dragon Boat Race and Fun Day is sponsored by Specsavers and takes place at Mote Park, Maidstone. Free to spectators, the event will open from 8.30am with the first race at 10am.

Sunday’s dragon racers could also be on their way to winning a limited edition KM Brain and Brawn Triathlon T-shirt and other prizes. To qualify for the KM Brain and Brawn challenge, participants must complete three different KM challenges in the same calendar year.

Still to come are the KM Assault Course challenge, the Ashford heat of the KM Big Charity Quiz and the Abseil Charity Challenge in Canterbury.

For more details, visit www.kmcharitychallenge.co.uk. Charities and good causes that would like to team up with the KM Charity Team to support their fundraising should call Mr Dolby on 07989 164 752.