CANADIAN runners are travelling to Cumbria to take place in the 25th Mallerstang Horseshoe and Nine Standards Yomp, which will take place on Sunday, June 3.

Organised by the Upper Eden Rotary Club, total proceeds from the Yomp go to various charities and the main recipients this year will be Barnado's UK, Eden Children's Hospice , Thandi Friends Project Africa and other Rotary Charitable causes.

Last year 600 Yompers took part in the event, which offers a 23-mile, 11.5-mile and 6.25-mile courses.

Yomp committeee secretary Bill Watkins said: "The Yomp was set up to commemorate the Falklands conflict 25 years ago and the name derives from the method used by our land forces in traversing the rough terrain in some areas of the Island. They ran, walked and crawled to reach vantage points in the shortest possible time and so surprise the opposition and in many cases enabling them to capture strongholds without casualties on either side.

"Our club is very pleased to announce that it has all necessary clearances and permissions from the local community and landowners to once again organise this annual event.

"The event has three integrated courses to choose from. These are 23,11.5 and 6.25 miles. We cater for runners and walkers. For those who enjoy competitive sports we have 19 trophies plus medals to be presented to the winners in a variety of classifications.

"In addition, all Yompers finishing their chosen course receive a certificate showing the distance they have covered and time achieved. It can be a challenging day's sport or an enjoyable quiet stroll in this beautiful part of Cumbria. Many people make it a family outing, having a picnic lunch on one of the major vantage points.

"Yompers travel from all over the UK and are mainly civilians but they do include many team entries from our Armed Forces Units who compete for medals and trophies specifically reserved for them.

We have already received entries from a couple living in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, who will make the special trip to Cumbria for the event.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the Upper Eden Rotary website www.upperedenrotary.org.uk.