MEN are being urged to get themselves checked out if they are concerned about their health – as hundreds gear up for an annual 5km event.

The R U Taking the P...? men-only race takes place on Sunday in Rowntree’s Park to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Amongst those taking part is Tadcaster Albion chairman Matthew Gore and former York City players Richard Cresswell and Michael Ingham.

Mr Gore is the chief executive officer of i2i football academy and is tackling the course with some of his staff and three sons after his father in law died from the disease.

York Press:

He said: “He was a policeman and in the Army, so when you see someone who was so fit not being able to walk around it’s absolutely horrendous.

“He was someone who had always been so strong, fit and healthy, and this brought it home.

“He was in his early 70s when he was diagnosed and was as fit as a fiddle at that age.

“This has all been a personal driving force for me and raising awareness is very worthwhile."

Race organiser Brian Hughes said: “Around 47,000 men got prostate cancer last year and 11,000 died from it.

“It’s the cancer which kills the most men and we want to get out there and raise awareness.

“People talk when there are other people taking about it, but without that they tend to shy away.

“Men have got to start doing something themselves. Women do the Race for Life and regularly get 3,000, but we will be lucky to get 300 taking part.

“If men are having trouble going to the toilet or have other symptoms, they need to go and get checked out without burying their head in the sand.

“The longer they leave it, the worse it will get.”

The race begins at 9.30am on Sunday and costs £17 or £25 for a father and son ticket.

Entries are accepted on the day and those who decide to sign up on Sunday are advised to arrive by 8.45am.

Money will go to York Against Cancer and to prostate cancer research by Professor Norman Maitland at the University of York.