Launching next year's race, which will take place on June 22, Mike Tomlinson invited 12,000 runners to take to the streets of Leeds and try and beat the £500,000 raised for charity in 2007.

Jane, he said, would have been incredibly proud of the fact the inaugural event raised so much in one day.

And following her death two months ago, his family, are focusing on this race as a way to keep her fundraising alive and hopefully take Jane's Appeal to the £2 million mark.

Jane Tomlinson was too ill to take part in last year's event but was at the finish line to clap everyone who entered home.

"We realized when we were organizing last year's run that Jane wasn't very well and wouldn't see the year out. She probably died a little earlier than we all expected, but I have to say that the 2007 run was one of the highlights of her life," Mr Tomlinson said.

"June 22, 2008 will be an incredibly poignant day for me and the children. One which will hopefully see a celebration of Jane's life and also a day when many people achieve their personal goal, whether running, walking or wheeling, volunteering to make it happen or cheering people on."

The 2008 event has space for 4,000 more entrants than last year - and by yesterday afternoon 4,000 people had already signed up for one of the 12,000 places.

Mr Tomlinson said he hopes a further 50,000 will support the event as spectators. The 2008 event will also needs 300 race day volunteers.
Jane Tomlinson died in September following a seven-year battle against terminal breast cancer. During those years, the 43-year-old from Rothwell, Leeds raised £1.75m for charity through a series of gruelling events, including cycling across America.

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