York 10K organisers aiming for 'bigger and better' event this year

2:21pm Thursday 28th January 2010

By Jennifer Bell

ORGANISERS of a York charity run in the memory of a heroic fundraiser say they are aiming for this year's event to be "bigger and better".

The runaway success of the inaugural Jane Tomlinson York 10K run and the national support it attracted means more than half the places for its return to the city have already been taken.

“Nearly 3,000 places have been snapped up already due to priority placing and interest from last year's runners,” said Mike Tomlinson, speaking at the official launch of the 2010 Run For All York 10K yesterday.

“The response has once again proved phenomenal and shows how much we need the extra capacity for this year’s run to cater for all those who want to take part.”

Organisers are currently in talks with city chiefs to alter the route to would enable the capacity to increase from 5,000 to 8,000.

“Hopefully – if we can get the route changed – we will have up to 8,000 runners taking part this year,” said Mike.

“It just proves how this run, in one of the most beautiful cities in the country, has the potential to keep getting bigger and better than we had ever dreamed of.”

He said about £300,000 had been raised from last year’s event for the Run For All fund, the event’s four partner charities, Martin House Hospice, Coco, Sparks and McMillan Cancer Support and a wealth of other good causes.

“This was a brilliant achievement and has set a higher target for this year – but one I have no doubt that we will smash.”

Former Olympic athlete Steve Cram OBE has again pledged his support to the event and joined Mike Tomlinson and BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration, to launch the run at the Monkbar Hotel in York.

“We all anticipated that last year’s event would be a success but we were blown away on the day about just how great it was,” he said. “I would tell anyone who are thinking about taking part in the race – whether to run or walk – to register early before all the places are gone.”

Harry Gration added: “Living in York I am so proud to have witnessed such a fantastic event last year and I have no doubt in my mind that this year’s race surpasses our expectations once again.”

The York 10k will take part on August 1. To enter or to volunteer for the event, visit www.runforall.com

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