Uttoxeter's fitness fanatics are set to run around the picturesque JCB lake in an iconic road race which has captured the town's imagination for 35 years.

Serious runners will don their running gear, while more jovial types will dress up in wacky outfits, for the JCB Lakeside 5.

For more than three decades, the massive NSPCC fund-raiser has graced the beautiful area around the lake outside the firm's World HQ, in Rocester.

Participants will get the choice of either a hotly-contested five-mile road race, or a shorter fun run on Thursday, July 12.

And JCB bosses expect around 500 people to take part in the event, which gets under way at 7pm.

Organiser and JCB engineer Mick Grindey is one of those who likes to dress up to take on the challenge - and was seen dressed as The Beast from Disney film Beauty and the Beast in 2016.

Mick Grindey and Charlie Bevan completed the JCB Lakeside Five comically dressed as Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Mick Grindey and Charlie Bevan completed the JCB Lakeside Five comically dressed as Disney's Beauty and the Beast

He said: "This has to be one of the most interesting courses on the road race circuit.

"Runners set off from JCB’s World Headquarters and follow roads through the factory grounds, past the garage in which Joseph Cyril Bamford founded JCB in 1945 and then around the stunning lake in front of our World Headquarters.

"The event is just a brilliant atmosphere, especially for families doing the fun run, and people come back year after year to compete."

Last year, a host of JCB India employees who were visiting the World HQ at the time donned traditional Indian dress for the occasion.

Pictured, from left, are Ajay Mahajan and Dhanraj Veer enjoying a little training in the run-up to the JCB Lakeside 5 and fun run
Pictured, from left, are Ajay Mahajan and Dhanraj Veer enjoying a little training in the run-up to the JCB Lakeside 5 and fun run

The race is affiliated with the UK Athletics body, with prizes awarded to the top three male and female runners aged 15 and above.

The top two male and female JCB employee runners and the first male and female veteran finishers are also rewarded.

Younger participants aged below 15 are also recognised, with gongs for the first male and female fun run finishers.

The winners of the 2017 race were Stone-based runner Ben Gamble, 35, who came home in an impressive time of 26 minutes and nine seconds, and Chloe Hawkins, 30, of Uttoxeter, who finished in 33 minutes and eight seconds.

Hundreds of runners set out from the starting blocks at the JCB Lakeside 5 2017
Hundreds of runners set out from the starting blocks at the JCB Lakeside 5 2017

Entry fees for the main race cost £9 in advance and £10 on the night for UK Athletics affiliated club runners and JCB employees.

Unattached runners have to pay £11 in advance or £12 on the night. Entry to the fun run costs £5.

Runners can enter online at www.bookitzone.com or get more information by emailing jcblakeside14@gmail.com