Maximum field of 1,300 set for Dewsbury 10k

Favourite to win the £400 prize for the men’s race is Matthew Pierson, of Stainland, who has a personal best of 30 minutes 5 seconds.

The former Holmfirth athlete is a past winner of the York Brass Monkey Half Marathon and the Liversedge Half Marathon but last ran at the Dewsbury 10k in 2007, when he finished fifth.

His closet rivals are likely to be Leeds City’s Jamil Parapia, who was fifth last year and has a pb of 31.37 , Hallamshire’s Dave Archer who has a pb of 31.38 and Leeds City’s Jason Cherriman whose pb is 32.05.

The women’s title is likely to be between Wakefield club colleagues Julie Briscoe, winner in 2014, who has a pb of 34.17, and Charlene Thomas who has a pb of 33.43, with Wetherby’s Pauline Munro and Barnsley’s Jilly Ingman in contention for the minor placings.

Race director Bernard Disken, of organisers Dewsbury Road Runners, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the interest in the race and have had to turn many people away.

“A couple of potential winners failed to get their entries in on time and I am afraid as we have reached the race limit they have been treated the same as everyone else.

“While we welcome entries from high quality athletes, the main aim is to put on a race for club runners and for people who are new to running.”

The race starts at Dewsbury Ring Road at 9am and goes along Bradford Road through Batley to Birstall Smithies, returning along the same route.

Road closures will be in place and the winner is likely to finish in about 30 minutes.

Sponsors of the race are Disken & Co solicitors and SMK Sports (Elland) with water supplied by Shepley Spring (Ice Valley).

Prizes will be awarded for men and in women in the open age category and in veteran categories for over 40s, over 45s, over 50s, over 55s , over 60s, over 65s and over 70s.

Among the charities to benefit from the event will be Martin House children’s hospice and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.