Children are being invited to take part in this year’s Jane Tomlinson Run For All event.

There are places for about 1,000 youngsters on July 31 for The Press-backed Jane Tomlinson Arena Mini and Junior Run.

It will follow the Jane Tomlinson York 10k and all children can run for free thanks to the sponsor, the Arena Group.

Organiser Mike Tomlinson, widower of cancer fundraiser and campaigner Jane, is urging schools, clubs and other groups to sign up.

He was joined by children from All Saints’ RC School in York and mascot Tommo yesterday to launch the event.

He said: “It’s an opportunity for all children to take part for free in a mass participation run, hopefully inspiring future sport stars. It was always Jane’s wish to remove the barriers stopping children becoming active in sport. With the support of City of York Council and, in particular, event sponsors Arena Group, we’ve been able to remove the cost of entry.”

Youngsters are being encouraged to raise money for their school or the Jane Tomlinson Appeal which will go towards a set project in York. Adrian Fitzpatrick, from Arena Group, said: “Supporting the run is a natural fit for Arena because we work with a number of York schools.” There are two courses for children: the junior run is for nine to 14-year-olds and is 2.5km long; the mini run is for three to eight-year-olds and is 1.5km long.

For the mini run, there needs to be at least one adult per two children. The adults also run for free.