Men and boys urged to pull on extra pants to be charity heroes at run

Olympian Colin Jackson and Sunderland runner Alyson Dixon in their Y Fronts at rthe start of the Go-Dad race at Silksworth Sports Complex before last year's event.

Men and boys will gather for the Sanlam Go Dad Run, which is making a return to Sunderland after its maiden event in the city last spring.

Both 5k and 10k courses will be set out around Silksworth Tennis Centre on Sunday, April 2, with the runs held in partnership with Everyone Active, which runs the centre on behalf of Sunderland City Council.

The start of the Go-Dad run at Silksworth Sports Complex, Sunderland, last year.

Go Dad Run is the brainchild of the former triple world champion and Olympic 110m hurdles silver medallist Colin Jackson, who created it after two of his uncles suffered with prostate cancer.

Runners are encouraged to wear a pair of big blue Sanlam Go Dad Run y-fronts over their shorts during their race to show support for the cause.

Sunderland’s is one of a series of runs held across the country.

This year’s charity partners for Sunderland are St Benedict’s Hospice, Prostate Cancer UK, Bowel Cancer UK, Orchid and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

The Go Dad Run is making its return to Sunderland.

Joining Colin on race day will be fellow former Great Britain sprinter Jamie Baulch as well as ex-Sunderland AFC captain Kevin Ball and Sunderland’s mayor, Coun Alan Emerson.

Colin said: “In a year when the World Athletics Championships are coming to the UK for the very first time, it is great to know that so many men and boys will be running in Go Dad Run events during in 2017.

“I’m especially pleased that I’ll be in Sunderland to get the series underway on April 2 and look forward to being joined by Jamie, Kevin and the mayor and meeting the runners and their families as they help us to raise awareness of important men’s health issues and funds for St Benedict’s Hospice and our other wonderful charity partners.”

Colin, Kevin, Jamie and Coun Emerson will be putting medals around the necks of the runners as they cross the finishing line.

The centre will also be hosting a series of free activities for spectators on the day to take part in, while the races take place.

Activities will include virtual classes, children’s soft play, Tennis Tots for children under five, and Polar Bear skiing sessions.

Dean Randall, the venue’s general manager, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting Go Dad Run here in Sunderland for the second year.

“Last year’s event was lots of fun and we helped to raise impressive funds for some very worthy causes.

“We hope to make this year equally as successful by encouraging as many men and boys as possible to sign up.”

Men and boys can sign up by visiting http://www.godadrun.co.uk/find-your-event/sunderland-2017.html.

Registration is open until Thursday, March 30, with prices starting at £11.50 and runners can also enter on the day by paying cash.