THE GURKHAS will once again be out in force in the North-East’s biggest 10k run.

Around 200 of the Nepalese soldiers, based at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, will take part in the Great North 10k on Sunday, July 3.

The 10k is the sister event to the Great North Run and will see a record 5,000 runners cross the finish line on the athletics track inside Gateshead International Stadium.

The Gurkhas are a fixture of the 6.2-mile event, with this year’s staging representing their fifth outing in Tyneside.

Currently undergoing a 39-week training course, the event is a key part of their fitness training and introduces them to the UK as part of their cultural orientation programme.

Sgt Jitendra Tamang said: “We feel very proud to be taking part in the Great North 10K again. We are very excited because we will gain a new experience helping us to enhance camaraderie and sportsmanship.

“The Gurkhas are coming - Aayo Gurkhali.”

David Hart, communications director at The Great Run Company said: “This is the fifth year that we have welcomed the Gurkhas to the Great North 10k, and we are delighted that they have once again chosen this event to continue their training.

“The participants always get behind the soldiers and love running alongside them, and we’re sure that this year will be no different.”