By Charlotte Newton RUNNERS in Crouch End are limbering up for this year s 10k race, which looks set to have a record amount of support from local traders. Thornton s Budgens – the independently owned supermarket in Crouch End Broadway – is sponsoring the

By Charlotte Newton

RUNNERS in Crouch End are limbering up for this year's 10k race, which looks set to have a record amount of support from local traders.

Thornton's Budgens - the independently owned supermarket in Crouch End Broadway - is sponsoring the Hornsey YMCA fun run on Sunday May 18.

It has also enlisted more than 40 customers and staff to take part in the event.

Last year, the team raised more than £5,000 for charity - a figure which this year's team is hoping to surpass.

Store owner Andrew Thornton said: "The 10k run is all about raising as much money as we possibly can for local children's charities, it's a fantastic event.

"We are also supporting it because exercise is the best way to fight obesity and while we sell calories, we also want our customers to burn off those calories by exercising. We advocate a healthy diet and healthy living."

Mr Thornton, 44, believes the event will raise more money this year because 20 children from Weston Park primary school, Rokesly infant and junior schools and Coleridge primary school are running in the fun run.

"Hopefully these children will get their families and friends to turn out and support them, which will mean even more Crouch Enders will be involved on the day," he said.

Five members of staff from Dunns bakery in Crouch End Broadway will also be running, in their "baker's whites".

Meanwhile the owner Chris Freeman is planning to bake 2,000 fresh doughnuts for runners who make it over the finishing line.

Mr Freeman said: "We're part of the local community and we believe in supporting community events.

"We try to be at the heart of things. It will take us 12 hours to bake 2,000 doughnuts so we'll set to work early on the Saturday.

"That week is actually national doughnut week, where we give 20p from every doughnut sold to the Children's Trust.

"This supports children with severe disabilities and it's another excellent charity which Dunns is proud to support."

The adult 10k starts at 10am and is open to runners aged 16 and over.

The children's one-mile fun run has nine categories which are split according to age and gender.

The start times for these races range between 12.10 to 2.30pm. The start and finish line for the 10k and fun run is in Priory Park, Crouch End.

Advance entry fees are £10 per adult and £5 per child with cheques payable to the Hornsey YMCA (Race 2008).

Entry forms can be downloaded from the website

www.ymcahornsey.org.

Anyone wishing to get fit in time for the race can join the London Heathside running sessions at The Harringay Club, 50 Tottenham Lane, Hornsey, on Tuesdays at 7.30pm.

charlotte.newton@hamhigh.co.uk