ORGANISERS are all set for this year’s Bishops Cannings 5000m Dash which has been running every year in the village since 1983.

The dash started 33 years ago when a group of residents felt that a short race around the village would add to the church fete and so the race was born.

The original route took runners out towards the canal, over the swing bridge, along the towpath then back on the road at Horton before coming into Bishops Cannings, finishing at the village school.

This route was used for 17 years but was then changed in 2000 to avoid any traffic and to have most of the race off-road.

The new dash course is now 5628m, taking in the countryside up to the Wansdyke and back down through the fields to the village.

Everyone who finishes is given a medal and cups are given to the overall winner along with the first, second and third boy and girl.

Organiser Francis Goddard, who has been involved since the race started, said: “Today the run continues to be part of the church fete and it has gone from strength to strength, attracting entrants from all over the country."

Among the celebrities who have taken part over the years are producer and director Clive Tulloh, who won in 1987 and Olympic silver medal skeleton bob star Shelley Rudman, who took the girls' title in 1991, 1993 and 1994.

Other notable entrants include Alasdair McClean – Foreman, who won in 2005 and 2006 and is the current race record holder with a time of 18minutes 21seconds.

Catherine Russ won the girls' race for six consecutive years from 2001, and then went on to win the Ladies event in 2014.

Mark Anderson has won the race the most times, on eight occasions between 1990 and 2000, and Simon Nott is tipped to beat the race record in 2015 having missed it by just one second last year. He has been the overall winner five times.

To enter the 2015 race on July 11 go to www.bishopscannings5000m.org.uk to download an entry form.