HUNDREDS of runners will join a road race next weekend to support charities close to their hearts.

Many of the runners taking part the Aycliffe 10k road race will use the event to help the Macmillan Cancer Relief County Durham Appeal.

The race, on Sunday, June 13, is expected to attract a larger field that last year when about 300 runners completed the full course and 100 chose the 3k fun run, both in Newton Aycliffe.

Organised for the past seven years by Newton Aycliffe Athletics Club, the event was originally started to encourage the local community to get fit.

For the first time, a charity has been selected as the main beneficiary and race director Sue Milburn hopes it will boost the Macmillan Appeal.

Among those tackling the 10k course will be staff from health and safety equipment manufacturer 3M, which is sponsoring the event.

The County Durham appeal hopes to raise £750,000 by the end of the year to provide extra nurses for the county.

Application forms are available from Kevin Greenall, at 6 The Covert, Newton Aycliffe, or by ringing Sue or Peter Milburn on (01325) 321963.

* More than 1,000 women will hit the ground running tomorrow for a charity effort.

Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland, is one of a series of women-only 5km walks or runs. Other Race for Life events are on June 20, at South Park, Darlington, June 26, at Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough, and July 11, at Newcastle Racecourse.