MUMS are going on the run to take part in Europe’s biggest 10-kilometre race to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice.

The charity challenge is being organised by Karen Rogers, from Kingsmead, who has been spurring on fellow mums over the past few months to get fit for the event.

Karen runs Fit Mums Ltd, and the mums entering The Great Manchester Run attend her fitness and nutrition sessions at Hartford Cricket Club.

Karen and 17 fellow mums are hoping to raise £1,500 for the hospice by taking part in the popular run on Sunday, May 18.

They are calling themselves Fit Mums On The Run, and people can support them online through a justgiving page.

“The run is a real challenge for some of the mums,” said Karen, 41, who started running when she was 30 and took part in the London Marathon in 2012.

“Some hadn’t run for more than a minute just a few months ago. Eight of us have done this kind of run before, but for the other half it will be a new experience and a big achievement.”

The women will be running in three groups based on their expected finishing times of less than an hour, just over an hour and less than one hour 15 minutes.

“Everyone is in it for the fun and to raise as much money as possible while at the same time hoping to finish in as fast a time as they can,” said Karen, who plans to run with the slower group, which could cross the finishing line arm in arm.

“We created a couple of running clubs, for beginners and improvers, and have done a lot of running and walking since September, when I started Fit Mums,” added Karen.

“Some of the mums formed groups themselves and go out for runs, and we are planning a celebratory meal after the Manchester run at a restaurant in Spinning Fields.”

T-shirts are being produced sporting the team name and promoting St Luke’s Hospice, and anyone who would like to support the mums can visit justgiving.com/fitmumshartford.

The mums taking part are Karen Rogers, Linsey Cooper, Claire Beggs, Danielle Still, Tania Miranda, Yvonne Holburn, Kate Campey, Caroline Hale, all from Kingsmead, Jo Knight, Deborah Jones, Fran Johnson, Sarah Walker, Tracey Berry and Jo Ingham from Hartford, Alison Bridge from Greenbank, Louise Shrieves from Leftwich, Christina Millachip from Antrobus and Clare Hildred from Knutsford.