Gillian Moore 29, hopes people will sign up for the event at the popular location by logging onto www.run10k.org/local

She is keen to encourage anyone who has been affected by cancer – directly or indirectly – to commit to 'going the distance' to help beat the disease.

Gillian's Mum sadly died from cancer 10 years ago, so she thought running 10K would be a nice dedication to her, in this 10th anniversary year.

Gillian said: "I did the Race for Life at Stormont in June and, although I've only started running recently, I really enjoyed it.

"The atmosphere was great and I was amazed by how many people were there who were running in memory of loved ones and friends.

"A lot of participants had also suffered from cancer themselves. It was incredible.

"The 10k at Stormont was advertised at the end of Race for Life and I thought I would run it in memory of my mum" Gillian admits that as the race gets closer she's wondering if it was a good idea after all!

She said: "There's only a few weeks to go and my training's not quite going as well as I had hoped! But having said that, it's the taking part that counts. You don't have to be a fitness fanatic to take part. If anyone would like to sponsor me doing this event, I have an online account at www.justgiving.com/sugababy60 or even better come and join me at the start line."

"Cancer affects so many people," added Gillian, "and joining the Stormont 10k is a great way to support them by raising money for Cancer Research UK's work to find new ways of preventing, treating and curing the disease."

This year, Cancer Research UK, supported by Tesco, is hoping that 50,000 men and women nationwide will Run 10k and raise just over £5 million to help fund the charity's world-class research.

It is hoped that the first ever annual event to be held at Stormont Estate, will see 600 men and women taking part, raising more than £35,000.

Current participants registered are just over 200, so the event really needs your support.

Cancer Research UK funds ground-breaking work into many aspects of cancer. Our researchers across the UK are learning more about cancer every day.

"They are investigating how best to prevent, diagnose and treat different forms of the disease. And they are also helping to improve the quality of life for people with cancer.

Over £1.7 million is currently spent each year in Northern Ireland on research into many of these areas.

Organiser Leigh Fergus said: "I hope that people rise to Gillian's challenge to take part in Run 10k.

"It is an achievable challenge for many people, with some training. And participants can even think about challenging their friends and family to take part with them."

Enter Run 10k today by visiting www.run10k.org/local or by calling 0871 6412401.

If you want to run the 10k for Cancer Research, log on to www.run10k.org/local