ORGANISERS of the Crouch End fun run are pulling out all the stops to make this year s event the best yet. The race always brings residents out on to the streets in force, but YMCA Hornsey programme director Jim Shepley is keen to generate a fe

Tom Victor

ORGANISERS of the Crouch End fun run are pulling out all the stops to make this year's event the best yet.

The race always brings residents out on to the streets in force, but YMCA Hornsey programme director Jim Shepley is keen to generate a festival atmosphere and create a truly memorable occasion for its 20th anniversary.

Live music from acts including 80s chart star Mari Wilson, as well as a healing field and stalls set up by local businesses, will help transform the fun run from an enjoyable morning out to a day packed with entertainment.

Mr Shepley said: "It's our 20th year so we want to do something special for it. We're very lucky we have so many celebrities and pop stars who live in the area."

EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks has already announced plans to take part and looks set to be joined by a team from the soap, comprising cast and crew members.

And Mr Shepley revealed other "famous actors" are getting involved, although he is unwilling to reveal any names until nearer the race, which starts and finishes in Priory Park on May 16.

"The fun run is always a popular event and is in a lot of people's diaries," he said.

"After the event last year people asked us when the next one was so they could plan their year around it."

The race will comprise a two-lap, 10km event for adults and a 1km race for under-16s. More than 2,500 people have signed up so far.

In an effort to raise �20,000 for charity - �1,000 for each year the event has taken place - Mr Shepley and race organiser Hayley Ballard have set out to get as many people as possible taking part.

Unlike in previous years, the event will continue throughout the day, meaning anyone unable to make it to the race can still come down to Priory Park in the afternoon.

"People often have friends come to visit from around the country so their children can run together, and people who used to live in Crouch End come back just for this," said Mr Shepley.

"It's a good opportunity to catch up with friends whom they don't manage to see during the rest of the year.

"They can stay in the park and enjoy the festival atmosphere."

There has been unprecedented demand for entries for this year's event, but there are still a few places available. To take part, you can register at www.enter4.co.uk.