Take your marks for the Bayer 10k today

The annual race, held in association with the Newbury Athletic Club and now in its sixth year, will see more than 900 runners set off from the Market Place, following a route through Speen and the Kennet and Avon Canal before winding back to the town centre.
Youngsters will also be able to take part for the first time in a 1500m fun run up Northbrook Street and around the Parkway shopping centre before returning to the finish line in the Market Place.
Under 12s will run 900m while 12 to 15-year-olds will undertake a second loop of the course and under 16s can still register today, providing the number limit has not been reached.
Max Macgregor from the pharmaceutical firm Bayer said: “We’re thriilled that so many runners have already entered the race.
“There are clearly a lot of people out there who have stuck to their task and put in the miles of training, despite really tough winter weather.
“We’re also really looking forward to staging the junior fun run, and would like to encourage as many youngsters as possible to give it a go.”
Over the past five years, nearly £40,000 has been raised for charity as a result of the races. The money is split between the races’ nominated charity of the year and the athletic club.
This year’s nominated charity is Naomi House jacksplace, a hospice which provides support to young people with life limiting conditions.
Last year’s race was won by three-time Bayer champion Gareth Watkins, from 42 Engineer Regiment at Hermitage, with a record time of 33 minutes and four seconds while Jess Franklin from Compton was named as fastest female.
This year is a milestone for Bayer as the company will be celebrating its 150th anniversary and all 10K runners will receive a special medal and goody bag to commemorate the event.