ORGANISERS have issued a rallying cry to get a record number of entries for this year’s Bradford City Runs.

The runs will take place on Sunday, October 30, from 9.15am and will feature a 5k, 10k and half-marathon, plus a children’s race for those aged 11 or under.

The 5k laps around Bradford city centre start at the former Odeon, go past the University of Bradford, to The Broadway, then through Little Germany, finishing in City Park.

Last year’s race attracted 1,030 adults and 220 children.

Mark Hetherington, race director, urged people to sign up.

He said: “We are looking for a record number of entries this year.

“We are confident of beating last year’s total. We are hoping to get between 1,200 and 1,500 entrants.

“The race has grown in each of the last four years I have been a part of it.

“There is a lot of publicity going on for the run and the Bradford Bulls and Bradford City are helping us too.

“People can only enter for the race online. We won’t be taking any postal entries or any entries on the day. We have had 290 adult and 120 children’s entries so far.

“Absolute first-timers to running can do the 5k run. We have a lot who walk round at the back.

“More serious runners will do the half-marathon.”

Organisers also hope to beat last year’s total of £6,000 raised for the University of Bradford’s Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit (PSBRU) appeal.

It is hoped a record number of entries will help raise between £8,000 and £9,000.

The appeal, for the 30th anniversary of the Bradford City fire disaster, now stands at £304,780 after beating an initial £300,000 target.

Ajay Mahajan, consultant plastic surgeon and director of research at the unit, said: “I am grateful to everyone who is going to sweat it out for our PSBRU at the Bradford City Runs.

“I am delighted to see that the fundraising activities are continuing beyond the 30th anniversary.

“The 30th anniversary fundraising campaign has helped secure the future of the unit, but it has been these continuing activities that have helped sustain our activities at the University of Bradford.”

The winners of the run’s main categories will receive prizes and all children who finish will get a medal.

Adult places are priced between £12 and £21. Children’s places cost £4.

The deadline for entries is October 26. Go to bradfordcityruns.co.uk.