A TARGET of 3,000-plus entrants has been set by the promoters of this year s Herts 10K Challenge. The race, now in its third year, is taking place from 10am on Sunday, October 12, at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden. The founder and main sponsor is IT and

A TARGET of 3,000-plus entrants has been set by the promoters of this year's Herts 10K Challenge.

The race, now in its third year, is taking place from 10am on Sunday, October 12, at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden.

The founder and main sponsor is IT and pharmaceutical specialist recruiters Levy Associates, based in St Albans, and the race is in aid of Grove House, the day hospice in the grounds of City Hospital, which organises it.

Fast Talk Promotions are promoting the 10K Challenge again and are confident that the 2008 event will attract more than 3,000 entries because fast walkers are also being invited to partake this year.

The 2007 Challenge attracted more than 2,000 runners and raised £128,000 for Grove House. As an added bonus, it was listed at number 36 in an overview of the 50 Best British Races of 2007 in the February edition of Runners World.

Levy Associates managing director, Lawrence Levy, has said that it is his mission to carry on successfully raising as much money as possible for Grove House. He explained: "Grove House helps thousands of people each year and I want to continue supporting its incredible work by helping to get 3,000 runners or walkers out on October 12 to hit this year's target of £150,000 for the hospice.

"If every runner or walkers raises between £50 and £100 in sponsorship money, we will easily achieve our target for 2008 and once again raise even more monies."

The 10 kilometre multi-terrain course takes participants through the beautiful countryside surrounding Harpenden and all the money raised goes directly to Grove House which constantly needs vital funds for it excellent range of free services for people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses as well as to help towards its much needed 24-hour Hospice at Home service.

Paul Parrish, fundraising director at Grove House, said: "Last year's race was absolutely fantastic and with so many runners and supporters turning up, it made for a truly memorable day and raising the most money ever from one single event for the charity is truly remarkable.

"This year we are pleased to announce that walkers will be able to take part and along with the runners enjoy the event and give more people in the community the opportunity to take part and participate in one of the fastest-growing regional 10K races in the country."

Many employees of both Grove House and Levy Associates take part in the event.

#Chris Kenny, general manager of Levy Associates, said: "We had a great day last year, every single staff member either ran or volunteered and the support we received form the community and Grove House's volunteers was just fantastic.

"Spectators lined the route of the course, cheering on the runners, and we also had many local businesses and clubs enter teams, doing their utmost to raise as much money as possible."

The Herts Advertiser is the event's media partner together with Hertfordshire Life magazine and BBC Three Counties. Associated sponsors once again will be RBS, Porsche Centre Hatfield, Asics, Maximuscle, Thomson Holidays and Waitrose with Fitness First new sponsors this year.

Registration for the race is £15 with entries on a firstcome, first-served basis and includes a medal and race t-shirt. Further details can be found at www.herts10k.com or contact Joanne Fall on 01727 731002 or e-mail joanne@grove-house.org.uk