In-the-pink charity chief on his marks for Leeds 10k

Mark Stevens, 41, has spent most of his career in business, most recently as sales director at Bradford and Bingley but last year he took a new direction when he became chief executive of Yorkshire Cancer Research, based in Harrogate.

The cause is personal as he had testicular cancer in 2004.

“Thanks to cancer research testicular cancer now has a 90 per cent survival rate,” he explained.

“But when you are told you have cancer you don’t know that immediately. I went through the process of surgery and treatment to make sure it had not spread.”

Six years later he saw an advert for the charity’s chief executive’s post and was delighted to get the job, which he started in June last year.

The 10k on Sunday June 19 will be the first charity run for Mr Stevens. In his 20s he weighed 17st but is now 11st and a gym regular, though still not a runner.

He will do the 10k dressed as a Clanger, a character from the classic animated children’s TV show from the late 1960s and early 70s.

“The Clanger suit is 7ft tall and is the charity’s mascot. It is heavy and I will be looking at the pavement through the Clanger’s mouth. It gives me an excuse to walk if I need to.”

In the coming weeks he will be don the clanger suit to jog near his home at Birstwith, near Harrogate.

The father-of-six is hoping to raise £5,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research and is urging others to join him.

The Yorkshire Post is media partner for the event that can be supported online at www.runforall.com