This years Tommy Run is shaping up to be the most popular one yet with hundreds of people already signed up for the 3 November event. Held the week before Memorial Sunday, this year's event will also include a new 5K run before the popular 10K distance.

The courses are along the beautiful sea front at Seaham in County Durham and offer runners a mixture of road, paths, promenade, and some trail paths. Speaking about the course organisers commented: "The good news is that this year's race will be on closed roads with just 25% on firm trails and there will be no grass section!"

There will be a one minute silence before each event starts from the Tommy War Memorial statue. The statue depicts a soldier, wearing boots, puttees, great coat and a tin hat, sitting on an ammunition box, with downcast eyes, holding the barrel of his grounded rifle in his right hand. It is officially named 1101 (or Eleven-O-One), referring to the first minute of peace as the armistice came into force at 11am on 11 November 1918, but is more popularly known as Tommy, referring to the archetypal private soldier, Tommy Atkins.

Previous participant Julie Cardno loved her experience of the event, saying: "My second Tommy run and still loved it despite the amount of mud and the sandy gravel promenade obstacle course! Thanks to all who organised, marshalled and volunteered!"

If you'd like to know more, visit the Tommy Runs website.

Image: Wild Deer Events