Miles Jermy A SENSE of history will be adding to the sporting occasion at this Sunday's East Coast Run.Around 400 entrants are expected to tackle the 10km course taking in Great Yarmouth town centre and sea front.

Miles Jermy

A SENSE of history will be adding to the sporting occasion at this Sunday's East Coast Run.

Around 400 entrants are expected to tackle the 10km course taking in Great Yarmouth town centre and sea front.

This year's run is adding to the calendar of events marking the 800th anniversary of the granting of the town's charter.

Everyone completing the 10km course will receive a special commemorative charter seal medal made by Ernie and Karen Childs of Great Yarmouth Potteries.

Featuring the King John seal, the medals were covered in a Rockingham brown glaze to provide a medieval appearance.

Cash prizes of £250 will be awarded to the first man and woman to cross the line, plus prizes for winners of six age categories.

Amongst the pre-race favourites are elite Kenyan athletes Zak Kihara and Joyce Kandia, who will be aiming to challenge previous course records.

A member of Birchfied Harriers, Zak is a past winner of the Loch Ness and Edinburgh marathons and the Redcar half marathon with a 10k personal best of 28:45

Joyce won the Belfast Marathon in 2006 and the Swansea 10k just two weeks ago in a personal best time of 33:34.

The run is also providing teams of workmates, students and friends with an opportunity to get fit active.

Borough council culture, sport and leisure manager Marie Hartley said: “The event has had enormous support with Great Yarmouth and Waveney NHS its main sponsor, and Winterton Sea Cadets acting as marshals on the day.

“Come and get involved either by racing, or cheering the runners on and then enjoying the entertainment afterwards.”

Starting and finishing in the Market Place, the course will wind through historic town centre and along the Golden Mile.

Yarmouth Mayor Cllr Terry Easter will get the race underway at 10.30am and present the medals.

Runners can enter on the day and fees are £8 for club members and £10 for non-club members.

The event is being sponsored by NHS Yarmouth and Waveney with support from Active Norfolk, GY Sports, Cultural and Town Centre Partnerships and Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust.

For more information go to www.gyrr.co.uk/www.great-yarmouth.co.uk or call 01493 302179.