EXHILIRATION, exhaustion and fun will be served up in equal measures at the 21st Charmouth Challenge and Fun Run.

The event will see competitors taking on either the eight-mile Challenge or the 2.5-mile Fun Run, starting and ending at Charmouth Primary School.

Runners of all ages and abilities can take part on Saturday, July 2, while spectators can also enjoy the Charmouth School Fete which runs alongside.

The event is organised by the school’s PTA and is the main fundraising event of the year, raising more than £55,000 over the last 20 years.

Organiser Nick Bale said: “Last year the school upgraded much of its IT equipment as well as extending their library facility. Swimming lessons and school trips are also subsidised to make these activities available to all the children.”

The Fun Run starts at 2.30pm and the Challenge, renowned as the most southerly fell race in England, starts at 3pm.

Mr Bale said: “The race is mapped over eight miles of the most spectacular Jurassic coastal scenery encompassing woodland, stone tracks and grassland and many hurdles such as stiles and gates.

“It includes a gruelling 191m climb to the top of Golden Cap and a final downhill spurt to the finishing line at the primary school.

“The Fun Run is equally daunting for those not so accustomed to regular running. The steepness of this run has to be experienced to be believed.

“A 2.5-mile run up the shady lane to Stonebarrow Hill and down again. The exact route has yet to be determined due to winter landslides.

“Every runner in this race will receive a medal as a reward for all his or her hard work.”

As a memento of the day, the runners of both races will be able to buy a commemorative mug at a discounted price, designed by a local artist.

The bearer of a mug will be entitled to free tea or coffee refills during the afternoon.

Trophies will go to the first, second, and third male and female in both races, and the first boy and girl.

In the Challenge only, trophies will be presented to the first male and female veteran of 40+ and 50+, and the first male and female teams.

It is advised that runners register as early as possible but you can enter on the day. The registration desk will open at 1pm.

All runners must fill in an entry form and pay a race fee of £5.50 for the Fun Run or £8 for the Challenge (discounted by £2 if applied for in advance).

Entry forms are available from Charmouth School or www.charmouthchallenge.co.uk or www.charmouth.dorset.sch .uk The fete will open at 1.30pm and will include activities and stalls, a tea room, and entertainment from the school’s Taiko drumming troupe.

Crews from the local fire station will be giving safety advice and offering a cooling ‘fire engine’ shower to the race finishers.

The organisers would like to thank Lyme Bay Holidays for sponsoring the races.