RUNNERS of all shapes and sizes are today being urged to take part in the Ipswich Sport Relief Mile.

RUNNERS of all shapes and sizes are today being urged to take part in the Ipswich Sport Relief Mile.

The sporting event will help to raise money for Comic Relief and get the town fitter in the process.

James Young, events officer with Ipswich Borough Council, who is organising the fun run, said: “It is the third time it has been held in Ipswich. Last year we had about 5,000 people take part and we're hoping for the same this time.

“This year the event starts at Ipswich Town Football Club at the statue of Sir Bobby Robson then goes past Endeavour House and round Cardinal Park.

“It's not a race; it's a mile, so you can be young, old, big, or small. It's for all the family and it's about encouraging people to get fit.

“Also, so far in East Anglia £2 million has been spent on sport because of Sport Relief.”

The race will be held in Ipswich on Sunday, March 16, from 10am to 4pm, starting at Ipswich Town Football Club.

It costs £5 for adults and £2 for children to take part and participants are expected to raise sponsorship money too.

The money will then be used by Comic Relief to help people in the UK and aboard.

One group in Suffolk which has benefited from the cash is Ability Counts, a charity which helps people with disabilities play football. It received funding of £28,500 over two years from Sport Relief.

The group's active projects manager, Carolyn Shaw, said: “Sport Relief is a great initiative. It was fantastic for us to secure funding to help people in Suffolk.”