IT’S back and bigger than ever – the 34th annual Poole Festival of Running has been launched in Poole Park.

Parkrun competitors gathered after their usual Saturday morning exertions to help celebrate the start of the run-up to this major event, which last year saw just under 2,000 taking part.

The Echo-backed festival, which takes place in Poole Park on Sunday June 7, features the ever-popular 10k event, which attracts international elite runners every year, as well as club and recreational runners.

There is the 5k Run for Cancer, once again raising money for the Dorset Cancer Centre at Poole Hospital, and for children the minithons for eight to 14-year-olds are also back, as well as an under-eights fun run.

All the races will be chip timed for the first time this year, excluding the fun run. The events’ joint sponsors are The Ark in Poole Park, and Horizon Honda.

Entries are now open to people of all ages and abilities and Poole Runners, who run the event, are inviting everyone to get behind this locally-organised festival, which raises thousands of pounds to help people in the community.

Last year more than £10,000 was handed to the Dorset Cancer Centre, the major specialist cancer treatment centre for adults in the county.

Organiser Mike Towner said thousands of people are expected to take part in this year’s event.

“Slots are filling up rapidly,” he said.

“We had just under 2,000 people take part across all the events last year and raised just under £11,000. We hope to exceed that this year or at least match it.”

The races are open to both experienced and novice runners. Organisers are also urging local schools to enter a team.

Entry details are available online at poolerunners.com