THE race is on for the next big fundraiser in support of the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal.

We're delighted to announce that the £1 million initiative is the official charity partner for year's Bradford City Runs - and today we also start our bid to get 200 people running in aid of the appeal.

The T&A is working with the University of Bradford, Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust to raise money to help make the city's ground-breaking work to fight the disease faster than ever before.

The annual running event is organised by Bradford Council in partnership with Bradford Athletics Network and their pledge to donate 40 per cent of race entry fees to the Appeal is a huge boost.

We're challenging as many people as possible to join staff from the T&A and university taking part in one of the four runs - a one mile family race, a 5k, 10k or half marathon route - on Sunday, October 26.

T&A Editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: "The importance of the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal cannot be overstated. Every minute counts in the search to find cancer treatments.

THE ROUTE
Bradford Telegraph and Argus: City Run 2014 route map

“Our aim is to raise enough money to buy a new specialised piece of equipment which will help researchers at the university’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics (ICT) in their work. This vital new machine will increase the pace at which they can discover cancer medicines of the future - any family which has experienced cancer will know how life-changing that could be.

"We’re thrilled that an event with such a high profile is supporting our joint fundraiser and hope that our readers, advertisers and their friends and families will also back the appeal. We’re encouraging 200 people to pull on their trainers, tackle a City Run and collect sponsorship money towards our £1m target.

"I’m sure our readers will rise to the challenge and thank them in advance."

The ICT is highly respected in its field and the new high-tech mass spectrometer could hold the key to researchers making a vital discovery in the war on cancer.

Victoria Collins, development officer at the University, said: "We are extremely excited that Bradford City Runs has chosen the Crocus Appeal to be their charity partner.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for people to back the appeal and it is very fitting because the route takes runners through the heart of the university campus and past the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics.

"We hope that runners and non-runners alike will take up the challenge and run, walk or skip and help us on our way to reaching £1 million for the much needed mass spectrometer."

READ MORE ON THE T&A CROCUS CANCER APPEAL

Race organisers hope to attract participants from across the Bradford district and beyond, emulating other successful Bradford running events which see thousands of people taking part.

The Council's executive member for sport, Councillor Andrew Thornton, said: "We are delighted this event is supporting The Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal.

The Bradford City Runs format has proved popular as it gives people a choice over the distance they run. We are also introducing a children's race this year to broaden appeal to all ages."

The inaugural family race is a one-mile circular run on Thornton Road starting at 9.15am. All routes start and finish in the city's multi award-winning City Park.

The accurately measured multi-lap course takes in the college and university - which proved popular with runners last year. All roads will be closed to traffic, offering runners and spectators a unique city centre event.

The Lord Mayor's charity will also benefit from stalls that are being held at the event.

All runners will be asked if they would like to collect sponsorship for the Crocus Cancer Appeal.

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