RACE organiser Frank Elford has urged athletes who have pledged their support of the Chris Reason Tribute Run on Sunday, February 5 to sign up as soon as possible.

Elford said there had been a lot of interest shown in taking part in the five-mile walk/run through Plympton's Newnham Park Estate to raise funds for Chris Reason's wife and young family, which he described as 'heart-warming'.

But he said he needed to get an idea of the actual numbers taking part so that he could inform volunteers and other services more accurately.

The Newnham Park event is due to begin at 11am on February 5 and to be preceded by a one-mile fun run at 10.15am.

Both races are non-competitive and have been devised as fund-raisers for the family of the much-admired local athletics stalwart Reason, who died last year from non-Hodgkinsons Lymphoma cancer aged 39.

Elford said: "We've already had quite a few sign up and a lot more have said they are going to take part.

"But we're getting closer all the time to race-day and I need to know how many people will be taking part.

"It's the logistics we need to plan properly. A number of other services essential to run the event safely also need to know.

"The easiest way is to come into the (Frank Elford Sports) shop in Mayflower Street and register. Or people can go online at www.tamartrotters.co.uk or call me at the shop."

Reason worked at Frank Elford Sports and was also a familiar figure both as a competitor and as an official at trail runs and other city athletics events.

His untimely death last year spurred Elford into re-staging – for just one event – a version of his Frank Elford autumn trail run last held in 2008 but with the emphasis on 'having fun and raising some money for Mandy (Reason) and hers and Chris' two youngsters Max and Grace'.

ENTRY forms are available at Frank Elford Sports in Mayflower Steet, in Plymouth's city centre on (01752) 265122. Alternatively, entry forms are also available on Tamar Trotters Running Club website, www.tamartrotters.co.uk