A MUM who started running just over a year ago is taking part in this Sunday's Kirkbymoorside 10k as part of a series of challenges.

Kathy Boothman, 43, took her first steps into running races at last year's event and has since completed a number of runs for charity.

She said: "I had a mint idea that I was going do the Great North Run, which as a non runner was a fair challenge.

"I did a few 10ks on the way and managed the run, raising money for Jack Berry House and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

"Then I did York 10-miler to raise money for the ICU at Castle Hill as they saved my best friend Jaimie Kerr's life last July. Sadly Jaimie was to lose her battle with kidney disease shortly after I completed that race. It was then I vowed to push myself further and run the Yorkshire Marathon in 2016 and the money I raise from that will go to a charity chosen by Jaimie's family."

Kathy added: "Last year's Kirkby 10k was my first step into running races, so this year I thought I could get sponsored to raise funds for Friends of Nawton School.

"My little girl, Grace, goes to the school and as parents we are always looking for fundraising ideas to help subsidise school trips etc. Hopefully this is my way of contributing."

This is the 16th year of the Kirkbymoorside 10k road race which is sponsored by the Lion Inn, Blakey, NSF Health Sciences and Kitching Walker Solicitors. The Toddlers' Dash takes place at 12.55pm, the teenagers' 4k race and adult 4k fun run are at 1pm and the children's one-mile race is at 1.05pm. The main 10k race will start at the later time of 3pm this year to give everyone chance to see the Tour de Yorkshire, which takes place on the same day, as it comes through the town.The race registration office at the Memorial Hall, Market Place, Kirkbymoorside, will open at 10am.

Entry to the 10k is £10.60 for affiliated or £12.60 for non-affiliated runners, with no extra charge for entry on the day.

The children’s races are all £3.50 entry.

Money raised will go to a number of local schools, including Kirkbymoorside, Ryedale and Gillamoor.

The event attracts local runners, club athletes from Yorkshire, neighbouring counties and people from other areas of UK and abroad.

There will be stalls from local clubs and organisations and Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band will be playing.

Entry forms available on www.kirkbymoorside10k.co.uk where you can also find more information about the whole event.