A FESTIVAL of running event will be held in Darlington’s South Park next month to raise funds and awareness for a cancer charity.

The event – on August 30 – is being supported by running club Darlington Harriers and organised by the Move Charity.

The aim is to get as many people as possible to have a go at running, and for more seasoned runners to try for a personal best on a flat five-mile course.

There is a one mile run event, a two-mile fun run, or the five-mile race, all around South Park.

All three runs will be on the same route as the South Park 10 and 20 races, and miss out the infamous ‘Squirrel Hill’ which is on the weekly Parkrun course, making it a quicker and flatter run.

The Move charity was set up by Gemma Hillier Moses, who is married to former national indoor 1,500m champion and Darlington Harriers club member Lewis Moses.

After fighting off a rare and aggressive form of cancer diagnosed when she was just 24, and running the Great North Run while inbetween rounds of chemo, she decided to set up the charity to help cancer patients and survivors become fitter and healthier through exercise.

This was the start of her mission to help spread the word about the importance of being strong and fit, among other cancer sufferers.

Move now runs events and workshops and also helps educate health professionals on the psychological effects of treatment, as well as providing online support for children facing cancer.

Next month's event will begin with the one-mile event at 5pm and finish with the five-mile event, which starts at 6pm.

Paul Cook, of Darlington Harriers, said: "We're hoping to include everyone in these events, from the experienced runners wanting a personal best on a flat course, to beginners or those wanting to walk in the fun run, or those doing the couch to 5k wanting to try out a fun run."

He said it was hoped the festival could become an annual event if it goes well.

TFM radio will be at the festival providing entertainment, there will be food available to purchase, and every runner will receive a medal.

For more information about the Move charity visit www.movecharity.org/

To sign up for any of the races, which are open to all, visit https://racebest.com/races/k3r4w