IN ONLY three days time, up to 6,000 runners will set out on this year’s Jane Tomlinson 10K run in York.

Among those taking part will be three nurses running for personal causes.

For Ann Coverdale, 55, and Karen Scullay, 60, both nurses at York’s Nuffield Hospital, the Run For All event on Sunday will be in memory of Paul Robinson, a theatre nurse at the hospital, who died last month of cancer.

Ann said: “He was a lovely, friendly colleague, so popular and well-liked. We decided we would run the race in memory of Paul and to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support at the same time.”

Also taking part is nurse Sam Holmes. Sam, 31, is usually busy working at the dementia specialist ward at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, but on Sunday he will be donning his shorts to raise money for The Alzheimer’s Charity.

Sam said: “I normally get enough exercise at work, so do not go to the gym.

“The last time I got any serious exercise was in PE lessons at school, and that was 15 years ago. Now I’m getting up every day at 6am to go for a run before work. And I’ve had to knock the steak and chips on the head. I must be mad.”

The hard work will all be worthwhile for Sam if he succeeds in raising awareness and much needed funds for The Alzheimer’s Charity.

Sam’s great-grandmother, Gwendolyn, died after many years battling the disease.

Crowds of spectators are expected to line the streets of the course, which will start and finish at the Knavesmire, to cheer runners on.

The event starts at 9am and the public are advised that there will be a number of road closures in and around the city centre which will be in place from 7am until 2pm.