UP TO 2,000 people are set to take part in the tenth anniversary Epilepsy Action 10K run on Sunday – the most ever in the race’s history.

Organisers of the charity run say they are thrilled with the number of entrants, having initially aimed for at least 1,500 participants.

Carl Foster, Epilepsy Action fundraising events officer, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that this year’s Bradford 10K is a sell-out event, with the most participants ever set to run to make a difference for people with epilepsy.

“This is going to be a fantastic way to celebrate the run’s tenth year and we are looking forward to cheering on all our amazing runners to the finish line.

“Every step they take will be helping Epilepsy Action to be there for people with epilepsy when they need it most. Sign-ups are now closed for the event but do come along and cheer from the sidelines to make this year’s Bradford 10K the biggest and best ever!”

The run has become a fixture on Bradford’s events calendar since it began in 2008. Since then, the race has raised over £316,065 for the charity, with 8,282 runners crossing the finish line. The course record is held by Tesfaye Debele, who achieved a time of 31.02 minutes in 2013.

This year, Yeadon-based Epilepsy Action is offering a £50 prize to the first runner who can beat this time and finish the race in under 30 minutes. Prizes are awarded for both males and females placed first, second and third, and for winners of the veterans’ categories.

A running T-shirt and a medal will be given to everyone who finishes. Funds raised from the race will support the 600,000 people with epilepsy in the UK.

Epilepsy Action is also preparing for Purple Day, an event created by a nine-year-old epilepsy sufferer from Canada to help dispel myths surrounding the condition and raise awareness.

The day sees purple-themed fundraisers taking place all over the UK, as well as several landmarks turning purple to mark the event.

To coincide with Purple Day, which takes place on Sunday, March 26, Epilepsy Action surveyed more than 1,000 people to find out how their epilepsy affects their feelings and emotions. The survey found that six out of ten people with epilepsy have experienced feelings of loneliness.

For more details, visit epilepsy.org.uk/purple or call 0113 210 8800.