Hundreds of youngsters are set to pound the streets of a Tyneside town at what organisers hope will be the first of many fun runs.
Young people aged seven and up will take on a 1km or 2km course around North Shields town centre on November 17.
The North Shields Commemorative Fun Run will start at the top of Bedford Street and will take in Saville Street, Howard Street, Northumberland Square and West Percy Street before finishing outside the Beacon Centre back on Bedford Street.
All participants will be given medals at YMCA North Tyneside, while the first three finishers in each category will be awarded a special prize.
Tommy Brannon, from organisers NOTAN (North of Tyne Athletics Network), said: "For a long time there were road races in the area, but these stopped a while ago.
"The idea is to bring athletics back to North Shields town centre and involve young people from the town and the local area in something fun and active. The more people we can get involved in athletics the better.
"We think this will be a fantastic event for the town and we look forward to seeing as many people as possible there on November 17.
"We hope this will be the first of many annual funs runs in North Shields. We would love to have a festival of races in future – cycling, wheelchair racing, running – the possibilities are endless."
Mr Brannon thanked the YMCA for allowing their facilities to be used as the race headquarters and first aid point.
North Shields Polytechnic Club was a running club based in North Shields until the mid-1970s when it moved to Whitley Bay.
NOTAN, which links in with the Poly club, Wallsend Harriers and Blyth Running Club, is organising the event with financial support from the Sir James Knott Trust and the help of the North Shields Business Chamber.
Miles Walton, the chamber's chairman, said: "Having a fun run in North Shields is a fantastic idea and the chamber is proud to be supporting it.
"This is another example of something a little different happening on our doorstep that people can get involved in.
"Bringing people into North Shields and enjoying what it has to offer is a huge part of what we are about, and this run will help to do that. Hopefully it is the first of many."
The Under 17s 2km run will begin at 1pm, followed by the Under 9s at 1.30pm (1km), the Under 15s at 2pm (2km), the Under 11s at 2.30pm (1km) and Under 13s at 3pm (1km).
Entry is £2 per child, and adults can run alongside their children. Application forms are available from the Beacon Centre or from this website.
