STAR fitness columnist Mark Hunt admits he might not be built to be a runner – but the won’t stop him pulling his 16 and half stone frame around the 10k course on Sunday.

Part of 21-strong team, the personal trainer will be fuelled by plenty of motivation, having watched his mum Cynthia, 71, overcome bowel cancer, and his uncle, Steven Hunt continue to fight prostate cancer.

Mark, whose running squad is made up of friends and clients, said: “We did it last year and I loved the atmosphere.

“I ran with my dad last year as he was recovering from a ruptured Achilles. It took us a long time to get round but all the encouragement from the crowds was so inspiring.

“My dad’s brother Steven is part of the team. His cancer is terminal but he is still running – when you consider that it’s hard to find an excuse for not taking part.”

Mark expresses admiration for the Steve Prescott Foundation but accepts he only truly understood the magnitude of the charity’s founder while training Steve’s widow Linzi.

He said: “I started training Linzi before she took on the Everest vase camp challenge. She would tell me the back story to Steve’s illness and everything they went through while she worked out on the treadmill.

“It was heartbreaking and I was holding back the tears as she explained it to me.

“So I’ve learned about the foundation and I’m a huge admirer of how much good it has done the town.

“The important thing on Sunday is to enjoy it – don’t go off too fast and get into a nice rhythm.”