York 10k event re-launched (From York Press)

York 10k event re-launched

9:22am Thursday 26th January 2012 in News By Jennifer Bell, jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk

Colourful characters stretched their costumes to the limit in York to back the re-launch of an annual fundraising event.

Charity mascots worked up a sweat at York Racecourse yesterday ahead of this year’s Jane Tomlinson Run For All York 10k on August 5.

Jane’s husband, Mike, and representatives from charity partners in the 10k run were at the launch.

Mr Tomlinson said a new element for 2012 would be the Run For Gold, which aimed to encourage people to set personal targets, whether 10 kilometres, a marathon or endurance event, in return for a “gold” medal.

He said the 10k – taking place during the Olympics – would be particularly poignant as Jane had campaigned for it to be in England.

He said: “The Olympics should inspire people to want to take part in some sporting challenge and this York event is perfect.”

He hoped the event would attract even more than last year’s 6,500 participants.

Coun Sonja Crisp, of City of York Council, who helped relaunch the 10k, said she would be among those taking part.

She said: “I think it will be a brilliant year once again for the York 10k.”

The York run, which raises money for The Jane Tomlinson Appeal, the Martin House Hospice and Macmillan Cancer, along with new partner charities, St Leonard’s Hospice and Bone Cancer Research Trust, has raised £500,000 to date.

This year’s event will be part of the York 800 celebrations to mark eight centuries of local democracy in the city. Events director Sara Burkinshaw said: “The atmosphere of the York race is already electric and we’re hoping that in this year of sport and celebration, it’s going to be even better.”