TODAY is the first day of a ten-week training schedule designed to help people get fit for this year's Darlington 10km Road Run.

Each week, The Northern Echo will print part of a fitness programme which should help even those who have not been inside a gym in years to complete the run on Sunday, August 12.

This year's event, the CD Bramall Ford Darlington Road Run, will be the 16th annual race.

Last year, the event attracted about 900 runners.

This year, run organisers are hoping to break the 1,000 barrier.

A further 300 people entered the 2km fun run, which takes place alongside the full race.

This year, the event will raise money for Rotary International of Darlington's defibrillator appeal.

As well as being sponsored by CD Bramall Ford, the event is being organised by Darlington Borough Council's leisure services department.

As in previous years, the race will start and finish on High Row, in Darlington town centre.

Entry forms will be available from the Dolphin Centre, as well as from The Northern Echo. The entry coupon, right, will be will appearing at regular intervals in newspaper before the event.

Darlington's radio station, Alpha 103.2, and The Northern Echo, are also supporting the event.