BOXER Henry Wharton is one of the latest York faces to sign up for a men-only run in aid of prostate cancer research.

Henry - ex-British, Commonwealth and European Super Middleweight Champion - said he would be taking part in the R U Taking the P? run alongside sons Oscar, 16, and Sonny, 13.

Now in its fifth year, R U Taking the P?, raises money for prostate cancer research at the University of York’s YCR Cancer Research lab, led by internationally-renowned scientist Professor Norman Maitland.

The 5km fun is on Father's Day on June 15, at 9.30am in Rowntree Park.

Henry, owner of Henry’s Gym and Community Centre in Acomb, said: “I want to make sure that every fighter and every male member of this gym takes part in R U Taking the P? on this day, but not only that I want to show how strong we are as a team and get the word out there to other men to join our team, not just at this gym.

“With running our own gym we deal with men and boys directly and we want to make sure that they are informed about something like this - a worthwhile cause that they can get involved in.

"We want to keep R U Taking the P? going and give our backing for as long as we can. We will support it every year from now on making it one of the events on our calendar.”

Mark Sullivan, ex-military Intelligence Corps and member of the Queen’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard, will also be running and is offering help to people who might want support with their training.

Mark, 56, and now a lecturer at York St John University, is offering free walking and running training sessions for men and women for the next few weeks leading up to R U Taking the P and the women-only Race For Life the following week.

“My wife Rachel works at Fitness First and it was her idea,” said Mark. "Rachel is organising the registration and my training assistant is my stepson Neil Whittaker. Men and women of all abilities are invited to come to Fitness First on a Wednesday evening at 6pm and they can run or walk and it won’t cost them a penny as there is no charge."

Anyone interested in the training sessions can contact Mark on 07768 997376 for further information.

Sir Michael Parkinson, Yorkshire comedian Billy Pearce and York’s legendary pantomime dame Berwick Kaler are all also pledging their support for the event.

Since 2010, the run has raised more than £46,645.

For information about R U Taking the P? and to enter, visit www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/rutakingthep or drop into Brian’s Hair Fashions, South Bank Avenue, York, Devine Butchers or Calcaria Carpets, both in Tadcaster, for an application form.

This year the race has introduced a father and son package. Boys need to be 11 and over to register.