"The town's Easter funday will go ahead."

That is the message from the chairman of a community group who is determined to put on accessible events for Fakenham despite fears over rising costs.

Richard Crook, chairman of Active Fakenham, has announced the Easter Sunday Funday running and cycling races will go ahead on April 9, despite his worries earlier this month that the event might have to be cancelled over rising costs.

The fun run and toddle’n’trike races will become a pay-what-you-can, rather than a fixed fee, to get as many people involved. 

Dereham Times: Richard Crook, chairman of Active FakenhamRichard Crook, chairman of Active Fakenham (Image: Archant)

“We recognise the difficulties many people are having with the cost of living, so we are making this day as accessible as possible,” Mr Crook said.

“The event is costing us hundreds of pounds more than ever before, but Active Fakenham is determined to put on these events any way that we can.”

Everyone entering will still need to register and obtain a number, and the number of entries will be limited. 

Dereham Times: Active Fakenham's Easter Sunday Fun Day eventActive Fakenham's Easter Sunday Fun Day event (Image: Roz Gordon)

The 5K run has been renamed the ‘High5 5K’, encouraging runners and spectators to high-five one another during the event. 

The town centre will be closed to traffic for the day, to make way for a line-up of races.

The first race is the High 5, 5k Run, which is five laps of the town centre and starts at 10.30am.

It is followed by the 1k fun run and then the Toddle’n’Trike at 12.15pm. 

The cycling begins at 12.45pm with the circuit opening for familiarisation and warm-up, then the Criterium racing starts with Youth A (U16) and Youth (B) under 14 girls and boys at 1pm. Races will finish by 5pm. 

Dereham Times: Active Fakenham Easter Sunday Fun Day holds cycling races as well as running racesActive Fakenham Easter Sunday Fun Day holds cycling races as well as running races (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2016)

This cycle racing is known as Criterium racing and is an official UK Athletics and British Cycling event run under their rules. 

Details of how to take part can be found at www.activefakenham.org.uk. Registration is now open.