Two major changes this year

On Easter Sunday, 9^th April. Fakenham will again be hosting its popular day of running and cycling races. With events for all levels of runners and cycle racers, Active Fakenham is planning for another enjoyable day, but this year with a difference.

The Fun Run and Toddle’n’Trike races will be free to enter with people being asked to pay if and what they can. Richard Crook, the event organiser said, “We recognise the difficulties many people are having with the cost of living, so we are making this day as accessible as possible. The Fun Run is particularly popular with children, but many adults also take part. We still plan to give every child a drawstring goody bag with chocolate and fruit, and of course, a medal for completing the course.”

Everyone entering will still need to register and obtain a number for insurance purposes and the number of entries will be limited. It is possible to prebook all the races from the Active Fakenham website to ensure you get a place. Other spaces will be available to book on the day.

Richard added, “Also this year we are calling the 5K run the “High 5 5K”. It’s a five lap race and we noticed that many people were giving ‘ high 5’s’ to friends and family, and even to strangers, as they completed each lap. This added to the atmosphere, encouraged the runners and was a lot of fun.”

The Town Centre will be closed to traffic for the day, to make way for a line-up of races for all ages: 1 km fun run, a 5 km running race, a toddle-and-trike race for under 5s, and then an afternoon of lightning-fast cycling around the 1km town centre circuit. 

This cycle racing is known as Criterium racing and is very popular in America and Europe. Because the race takes place and is a number of laps over a fixed period of time spectators get to see the riders many times as they complete each lap.

The runs and cycle races are official UK Athletics and British Cycling events, and are run under their rules. They are a spectacle to watch or great fun to join in with. Details of how to take part can be found at www.activefakenham.org.uk. Registration is now open and there may be spaces to enter on the day.

There is even a fun, Toddle-and-Trike for under 5s, where entrants can bring either a tricycle, scooter or balance bike, or take part on foot. Every child entering one of the races receives a free goody-bag. (Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and wear a helmet for the Toddle’n’Trike). All runners will receive a special commemorative medal and there are prizes for the winners of the bike races.

The first race is the High 5, 5k Run, which is five laps of the town centre and starts at 10.30. This is followed by the 1k fun run with some entering in fancy dress and the Toddle’n’Trike is at 12.15. The cycling begins at 12.45 with the circuit opening for familiarisation and warm-up, then the Criterium racing starts with Youth A (U16) and Youth (B) under 14 girls and boys at 1pm. Races will finish by 5.00pm. Everyone taking part in the runs receives a medal, with Easter goody-bags for children. There may be places available on the day, but to be sure of a place you should enter online through the Active Fakenham website.

Richard Crook, from Active Fakenham said, “We are thrilled to bring this popular event back to the town. We try to make this an event for everyone whether they are participating in a race or come along to watch and enjoy the atmosphere. Last time the oldest person was in their eighties and the youngest was only one year old. We get good club runners, and people who just want to get a bit fitter. Last year the British National Champion won the women’s cycle race, so this shows the level of some of the races.

I would like to thank in advance the many people who make this happen and also I apologise for any inconvenience for the roads that need to be closed. Tesco and Aldi are making their car parks free for the day.”