Video: Jane Tomlinson appeal sets challenge for Olympic year

Mr Tomlinson was in Millennium Square, Leeds with charity supporters to launch the 2012 Run for All series of events.

An important new element will be the “Run for Gold” that encourages people to set personal targets, whether 10 kilometres, a marathon or an endurance event, in return for a “gold” medal.

At 50, Mr Tomlinson could be forgiven if he decided to slow down a bit but he says 2012 will see him and colleagues complete another major physical challenge – the toughest yet.

He will not reveal details for a while, but said: “It will be an endurance challenge which will take people’s breath away. All kinds of people will be joining us. It will be the hardest challenge that we have done – but not as hard as those Jane did.”

Next year marks the 10th anniversary of the marathon run that helped turn Jane Tomlinson into a well-known inspirational figure – and Mr Tomlinson hopes to reach the £5m milestone for the appeal organisation she founded.

He and the Run for All team will be helped by a new sponsor – the Asda Foundation, the charitable arm of the supermarket chain – which has promised that thousands of staff will get involved.

Paralympic hopeful Hannah Cockroft, 19, of Halifax, is also backing the events. She said: “Olympic selection is on July 9 next year, a day after the Leeds 10k. I would like to do the race and maybe get selected the next day.”

The Yorkshire Post is media partner to the events. Online registration is possible at www.runforall.com