More than 500 runners have already signed up for the 26th staging of the Helena Tipping Wrexham 10k.

Sponsor and local recruitment specialists gap Personnel, who are celebrating 20 years in the town, have a team of runners taking part as well as staff at the finish line handing out goody bags and this year’s specially-commissioned medal.

The race was originally set up in memory of Wrexham Athletic Club member Helena Tipping and continues to be supported by the club members, with local runner Daniel Weston hoping to make it a hat-trick of wins.

The one lap race starts and finishes on Oak Road on Wrexham Industrial Estate using part of the flat course of the recent half marathon there.

The course lends itself to fast times and typically attracts runners from across North Wales, Cheshire, Merseyside and Staffordshire, with a number of local running clubs having added the race to their 2017 club championships which has helped the number of entrants to double in the last twelve months.

Race director Mike Harrington said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with gap Personnel. They have such a huge presence supplying staff to Wrexham Industrial Estate that it is a natural partnership.

“In 2016 we decided to move the race to the summer to ease some of the congestion in the race calendar. We understand as runners ourselves that entering races week after week can prove expensive.

“We have bespoke medals again and added to the chip-timing and plenty of free parking and we are hoping for a great summer event for the people of this region.

Not only do we expect to see plenty of local club and experienced runners, we are hoping to welcome those tacking the distance for the first time.”

Full details of the race including entry are available via www.cutefruitevents.com.