PEOPLE of all abilities are being encouraged to get their running shoes on for a popular Gwent charity race.

The Gwent Wildlife Trust’s (GWT) 10k Race for Wildlife, which takes in the Gwent Levels and will start and finish at Undy AFC’s Causeway ground, is set to take place on Sunday (May 8).

The South Wales Argus is the official media partner, along with its sister paper The Free Press.

Wheelchair racers, first-timers or experienced runners are all encouraged to take part in the Welsh Athletics-accredited charity race on what is a flat course.

One of the competitors this year is Monmouth Triathlon Club athlete Victoria Baker, who is currently training for the European Triathlon Championships at the end of May.

She will be competing in Portugal on May 29 and has been selected for the GB Age Group Team.

She said: “I got into triathlons a couple of years ago. I loved swimming and cycling but wasn’t too keen on running! I entered a triathlon last year which was a qualifier for the European Championships and to my astonishment I qualified...so I am going to compete in Lisbon."

“The distances of the triathlon are 1.5K swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run, so entering the Race for Wildlife is a perfect opportunity for me to practice running a 10K in race conditions!”

GWT, which has nearly 10,000 members around Gwent, has had help from Chepstow Harriers, Undy Athletic Football Club and other supporters including Eastman Newport.

The charity said they are hopeful of beating last year’s record number of entrants, 204. All competitors will receive a prize and a medal, including Race for Wildlife branded T-shirts.

There will be a one kilometre fun run for children and other adults who fancy taking in that distance rather than the 10k.

The 10k race will start at 10.30am and the second race will start at 10.45am.

Entries will be accepted on the day but GWT ask for all entrants to sign up online by Thursday (May 5), at 11.45pm at gwentwildlife.org/raceforwildlife.

For more details call GWT on 01600 740600 between 9am and 5pm.