More than 300 runners will be in Otley on Wednesday to take part in the annual ten-mile road race.

The event, which is organised by Otley Athletic Club and is celebrating its 23rd birthday, starts on Gallows Hill at 7.30pm, with the top runners expected to complete the course in just under an hour.

From there, the competitors head to Pool in Wharfedale and Leathley before passing through Lindley and Farnley ahead of the finish at Otley Cricket Club.

Records for the course have not been broken since 1989 when Colin Moore, from Bingley Harriers, romped home in 50min 56sec to take the men’s race, Veronique Marot (Leeds City) winning the women’s event in 57:50.

Last year’s winner was Eritrean Tsegezeab Woldemickael, who completed the course in 52:05, almost six minutes ahead of second-placed Owen Beilby (Wharfedale Harriers), who recently won the Leeds Half Marathon.

The first lady last year was Pudsey Pacers’ Karen Pickles.

However, no-one has been able to match the success of the host club’s Ian Fisher, who has won the race ten times, with his initial success coming in 1993.

The event, which is sponsored by Up & Running, has become a popular feature on the racing calendar since it was first run in 1989.

Entries will be taken on the night and those runners will be eligible for prizes.

Each finisher will receive a bottled beer, courtesy of Hambleton Ales, and the prize presentation is scheduled for 9.15pm.

Further details can be obtained at www.otleyac.org.uk.