MEN are being invited to take part in York’s unique men-only 5K which is aiming to reach a fundraising target of £100,000.

The R U Taking the P? run in Rowntree Park was set up five years ago by Brian Hughes and has since raised £71,000 for prostate cancer research at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Unit at the University of York.

This year the event is being backed by sports people from across Yorkshire, including Dickie Bird, Yorkshire County Cricket Club, York City FC, York City Knights RLFC, Tadcaster Albion AFC and Guisborough Cricket Club.

Brian, who is founder of the York Knavesmire Harriers running club, said: “Running has always been a huge passion of mine. My best friend Derek Elliot was diagnosed with prostate cancer not long before his death. Prostate cancer didn’t kill Derek but it did make me aware of the disease.

"One of the symptoms of prostate cancer is needing to urinate frequently. When running this often happened to Derek and to make light of the situation I would say ‘Are you taking the P?’ which always made us laugh. A few years ago another friend was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer and this was the trigger to start the run.”

Around 42,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK.

The event has gradually become more successful with hundreds taking part in 2014's run.

All money raised goes via Yorkshire Cancer Research to the University of York's Yorkshire Cancer Research laboratory where ground-breaking research is being led by Professor Norman Maitland.

Since 2002, Yorkshire Cancer Research has given more than £8million to Prof Maitland.

- R U Taking the P? takes place on Father’s Day – Sunday, June 21 – at Rowntree Park, and participants are invited to run or walk around the scenic course.

For more information about the event and to sign up, visit www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/events/ru-taking-the-p/