Track ace Iwan cheers along race stragglers

May 3 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

MEDAL-WINNING athlete Iwan Thomas is to encourage flagging runners in a race at Sutton Park.

Thomas, former European and Commonwealth champion and British record holder for the 400 metres, is adding his backing to the Asics Cure Leukaemia Run.

Birmingham has always been special to Thomas as it was here that he claimed his first UK title, so he was eager to come back for a local event.

The event on Sunday, May 13, is the third of its kind and includes a 10km race, 5km fun run and 1km for the under-eights in a bid to raise vital cash for leukaemia research and treatment in Birmingham.

Hayley Dunn, from Cure Leukaemia, said: "It's not too late to enter the run at Sutton Park, but entries must be with Cure Leukaemia by Monday, May 7.

Cure Leukaemia was set up in 2003 to finance a new leukaemia centre based at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

This centre is important to both the leukaemia patients of the Midlands as well as further afield with its treatment and support and through the vital research it undertakes.

Leukaemia experts at the QE were crucial in saving the life of former England and Wolves footballer Geoff Thomas, from Worcestershire.

The 10km race starts at 9am and the 5km race at 10.30am.

For more information contact Cure Leukaemia on 0121 627 5858 or visit www.cureleukaemia.co.uk