Jane Tomlinson's cancer run in Hull

By [ibond]

A MAJOR charity event inspired by a dedicated fundraiser who lost her fight against cancer will be held in Hull for the first time next year.

Jane Tomlinson's Hull 10k will see 5,000 people of all abilities run, jog or walk the route to raise money for various charities on Sunday, May 23.

It comes after the successful Leeds 10k, which has been held annually since 2007 and was set up by Jane, and the sell-out York 10k, which was held for the first time in August.

The Hull 10k, which was being launched by Jane's husband Mike Tomlinson today, is a Run For All event and is open to people over the age of 15.

Those who take part can raise money for any cause that is important to them.

However, anyone who chooses to run for Jane's Appeal, which supports children's and cancer charities, will also help to support chosen partner charities.

The money from Jane's Appeal participants will be split equally between the appeal, Cancer Research UK, Dove House Hospice, the RNLI and the Daisy Appeal.

Mr Tomlinson, 48, of Rothwell, Leeds, said Jane, who died in September 2007, wanted a 10k run to be held in Hull as the city held a special place in her heart.

Jane was a student at the University of Hull for one year and in January 2007 was given an honorary degree by the university. At the same time, Jane and Mike's eldest daughter, Suzanne, now 24, graduated from the university.

Mr Tomlinson said: "I think when you have gone to a university in a city you always have a fondness of that city. You might leave the city, but the city never leaves you. Hull was like that for Jane.

"Everyone asks us 'Why Hull?'

"In one sense, this is because of Jane. In the other sense, this is a huge city with huge potential.

"Jane was especially fond of Cottingham Road and Beverley Road and, to her, it seemed an obvious choice."

The route, which will begin close to the Queens Gardens area of the city centre, will take in Victoria Dock village, the area surrounding The Deep, Hull Marina and back through city centre streets, before finishing at Queens Gardens.

Mr Tomlinson said he hopes the event will be "good for the community".

He said: "We don't just want people to run. I would like lots of people to jog and I would love people to walk. The course is beautiful."

The Hull 10k already has the support of Hull City, Hull FC and Hull KR. Representatives from each club were expected to attend today's launch. The event is held in association with Hull City Council