RUNNERS have just five more weeks to get fit for the 15th Darlington 10km Road Run.

Each week, The Northern Echo is printing a fitness programme which should help even those with minimum fitness to complete the Tees Valley TEC Darlington Road Run, on Sunday, August 13.

Last year the run attracted more than 700 athletes. Organisers are hoping to have 1,000 entries this year. Another 200 took part in the 2km fun run, which is run alongside the main race.

The event will raise money for St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington. It is sponsored by the Tees Valley Training and Enterprise Council and Darlington Borough Council, whose leisure services department organises the event.

This year's race is being held a fortnight earlier than usual.

The run is normally held on Sunday during the August Bank Holiday weekend, but the date was changed to avoid clashing with the Millennium Cavalcade of Steam celebration, which has since been cancelled.

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

Entry forms are available from the Dolphin Centre in Darlington, and The Northern Echo's offices.

Darlington's radio station Alpha 103.2 is also supporting the road run.

Training schedule

(Week Six)

Increase the weekday runs to 25 minutes, three times a week, and increase the weekend run to 40 minutes.