SAINTS boss Nathan Brown is stepping forward with his coaching staff to run the GPW Recruitment St Helens 10K.

As the number of entrants for the event went past the 1,000 marker this week, Brown confirmed he will be tackling the hilly course on Sunday, March 10.

The head coach will be joined by backroom staff, including assistant coach Jamahl Lolesi, fitness conditioner Matty Daniels and physiotherapist Joey Hayes.

They are running to support the Saints Community Development Foundation.

Brown, 39, a former hooker whose playing career with St George in Australia was cut short due to a serious neck injury, said: “I jumped at the chance to take part and I’ve talked some of the other coaching staff into taking part.

“The 10K is a great event as it attracts people who aren’t big runners and it gives the course a great community atmosphere.”

The event will once again start and finish at Langtree Park. Organisers hope numbers entering the run, now in its third year, will exceed last year’s total of 1,200.

Meanwhile, in the event’s smaller 2k run, more than 70 young cheerleaders from Sutton Tornados will be running for the charity.

Brown, who is living with his family in Eccleston, is a keen supporter of the SCDF, which promotes health, coaching, anti-racism, anti-bullying and education through rugby league.

He added: “I’ve been really impressed with the work they do with kids and also adults in the community.

“It’s good to see rugby league in the community and I’m also a big fan of the work they are delivering to get young people in work.”

THE growing strength of the St Helens 10K has been underlined by Liverpool ONE sponsoring the race’s corporate cup.

Open to teams of four, the times of the fastest three members are added together and compared to other squads.

Each member of the winning corporate team will receive a £50 Liverpool ONE Gift Card, with £25 vouchers going to the runners up.

A team of Liverpool ONE runners will be entering and have been jogging through the city’s retail district during their lunch breaks to get fit.

Steve Prescott, whose foundation organises the run, said: “To have Liverpool ONE sponsoring the corporate cup is great for the event and I cannot thank them enough for their help.

“We’ve already been inundated with entrants to the race and I’d encourage those who are thinking of joining, whether they are a novice or club runners, to sign up before it’s too late.”