Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson is urging people to enter the 2010 Start Fitness Redcar Half Marathon to get fit in the New Year and raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

This year's Half Marathon, which has attracted a new sponsor, Start Fitness, a North East based sports clothing and footwear retailer, will break with tradition and will take place on Sunday 13 June instead of mid-April as in previous years. Organisers believe that the mild weather will encourage even more runners to enter this prestigious sporting event.

Last year, the race attracted over 1,600 runners and this year, organisers predict that it will be even bigger and better and will attract a record breaking number of entries.

The 2010 Start Fitness Redcar Half Marathon will be launched at Redcar's most popular attraction - the Coatham Boating Lake which will form part of the scenic 13.1 mile route.

Coathham Boating Lake has undergone an extensive £850,000 refurbishment which has seen the restoration of the historic footbridge, a new feature promenade wall and the introduction of new wildlife habitats.

Organised by Tees Valley Leisure in partnership with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, the event will once again be backed by Britain's best known Paralympic star and gold medalist, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson who said: "One of the most popular New Year resolutions is losing weight and finding more time for fitness. This is a great opportunity to get fit in 2010 - entering the 2010 Start Fitness Redcar Half Marathon will help you stay motivated and will incentivise you to train, lose weight and get fit so its win-win all round.

Race organiser Paddy Corcoran, who is head of Tees Valley Leisure which runs the local authority leisure centres in Redcar & Cleveland said: "The Redcar Half Marathon is one of the longest-established and most popular in the running calendar and last year attracted over 1600 entries. With support from the Council and our sponsors, this year we hope to attract even more entries.

"It's a great chance to get fit in the New Year and a great opportunity to raise money for your favourite charity. We are thrilled that once again our local sporting superstar Tanni is supporting the Half Marathon and will be participating in the event. _Councillor Sheelagh Clarke, the Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: "The Council is once again delighted to support this special sporting event and delighted that Coatham Boating Lake, will provide a spectacular backdrop for part of the 13.1 mile route. Runners will enjoy the breathtaking view of the Redcar coastline and this newly restored lake which is Redcar's pride and joy."

The 2010 Start Fitness Redcar Half Marathon is sponsored by Redcar & Cleveland Council and supported by the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) with sponsorship from TFM Radio and Magic 1170 and Hatton Traffic.

Thanks to the backing of Start Fitness, a specialist sports company, this year all entrants will receive an exclusive high performance T-shirt and a high quality messenger bag and will receive vouchers to spend at Tees Valley Leisure centres. Prize money in excess of £3000 will be up for grabs to attract elite athletes and to encourage record- breaking finish times.

Martin Scaife from Start Fitness, who is a former England and Great Britain athlete, commented: "Start Fitness is delighted to sponsor this popular seaside race and we are really looking forward to working in partnership with race organisers Tees Valley Leisure to ensure the Redcar Half Marathon is once again a great success!"