Bradford people will be pounding the pavements to get fit and raise funds this October with the Bradford City Run.

Organisers have announced the official charity for this year's event will be the Yorkshire-based Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

The appeal, which raises funds for children's and cancer chari-ties across the region and around the world, has been hailed a "wonderful cause" by Bradford Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, executive member for sport and leisure.

Before her death from cancer in 2007, Mrs Tomlinson raised £1.85 million through a series of physi-cal challenges and the appeal in her name has so far raised more than £3m.

The 13.2-mile run - which last year attracted more than 2,000 participants - starts at the Alhambra theatre in the city cen-tre and takes a scenic route around Thornton and Denholme, up to Sandy Lane and down to Lister Park, where the race will end.

A fun run will also be among the day's events, on Sunday, October 2, and the school with the most pupils taking part will win the coveted Schools Cup, held by Grange Technology College.

The Bradford City Run is part of Bradford Gold, the city's pro-gramme aimed at maximising the sporting, cultural and business benefits of the London 2012 Olympics.

Entry to the half-marathon will cost £18. Entry to the fun run in which participants will run loops around Lister Park costs £6 for adults and £4 for children.

Entry is now open for this year's Bradford City Run, which is expected to attract thousands of runners.

Bradford Council's assistant director for sport and leisure, Phil Barker, said: "Last year's event was great fun for all who got involved, and the perfect opportunity for runners of all ages and abilities to experience some of Yorkshire's most beauti-ful countryside.

"It's great news that the run is growing in popularity year on year and starting to be recognised as a regular date in the running calendar."