TWO thousand runners are set to take to the streets of Blackburn on Sunday in the first ever Jane Tomlinson’s Pennine Lancashire 10K.

It will be the biggest event of its kind held in East Lancashire and will feature running legends, sporting stars, running club members and fun runners.

The race will be started at 9.30am by running legend Ron Hill and Blackburn Rovers hero Tony Parkes.

Ron will then join the start line in Blackburn’s Witton Park, alongside former Hull City manager Iain Dowie and Michelin star chef Nigel Haworth, who will be running on his 52nd birthday.

And with the run taking place on World Cup Final day, any football fans among the 2,000 runners taking part are encouraged to run in their club or team colours.

The Jane Tomlinson Pennine Lancashire 10K is a Run For All event, which set up by the late Jane Tomlinson CBE and her family.

Race organiser Mike Tomlinson said: “We are really looking forward to what we know will be a truly memorable day on Sunday and wish everyone joining us good luck. In creating Run For All, Jane wanted others to share the excitement and fulfilment she had experienced in participating in fundraising events.

"We are absolutely thrilled that with the support of Regenerate and the Pennine Lancashire councils we are able to bring Run For All to Pennine Lancashire.

“We are really looking forward to what we know will be a truly memorable day in Blackburn.”

There will be more than 90 streets affected by road closures, implemented between 7am and 12.30pm.

People are also being urged not to park in Preston Old Road and Redlam between the junctions with Buncer Lane, Spring Lane, and Garden Street as well as Barton Street between the junctions of Alma Street and Fielden Street between 4pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday.

Volunteers are still needed to help out and can turn up at Witton Park Pavillion for 8am.