AROUND 8,000 runners from across the North East will take part in the 35th annual Children’s Cancer Run at the weekend.

The annual event, organised by the North of England Children’s Cancer Research Fund will be held at Newcastle Racecourse on Sunday.

Last year the event passed a fundraising milestone, reaching a target of £200,000 for research into treatments for childhood cancers.

The Run offers five mile, three mile and ‘mini mile’ cross country courses to ensure families and runners of all ages and abilities can take part in the fun run.

Cancer survivor Chris Peacock, chairman of the charity and founder of the run, said: “The way thousands of fundraisers from local communities, schools and sports and recreation groups come together each year to take part in the Children’s Cancer Run is a testament to the generosity of people in the North East.

“Almost everybody you speak to at the run has been affected either directly or indirectly by cancer and to be able to support research and trials that are fighting to eradicate this is so essential.”

Runners can enter on their own or as part of a team and will each receive a medal, T-shirt and Gregg’s picnic.

Online entries have closed but runners can sign up on the day. For further details of this year’s event, please visit childrenscancerrun.co.uk.