A WORLD-leading breast cancer researcher is set to take on the Great Manchester Run at the age of 74 for the sixth time, in aid of Prevent Breast Cancer.

Professor Tony Howell, scientific director at the Wythenshawe Hospital-based charity, will tackle the 10K challenge on May 28 and is calling on the city – and beyond – to back him to the finish line.

The grandfather-of-six co-authored The 2-Day Diet and heads up vital research into preventative drugs for Prevent Breast Cancer. As the UK’s only charity entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer, Prevent Breast Cancer focuses on four key pillars of research – gene research, early detection and screening, preventative drugs and diet and lifestyle.

Now, Tony is hoping his challenge will go some way to help the charity reach its annual fundraising goal of £1 million.

He said: “This is now my sixth time taking part in the Great Manchester Run and I’m no stranger to how demanding the challenge is, but I’ve been training extremely hard for the past four months and I’m raring to go!

“Prevent Breast Cancer is extremely unique in that we focus solely on predicting and preventing breast cancer and we work tirelessly to research how we can get closer to creating a breast cancer-free future for all.”

The biggest 10K run in the North West, the Great Manchester Run takes participants through the heart of the city, passing iconic sites such as the Imperial War Museum and The Lowry, with runners ending up at 47-storey Beetham Tower.

As part of the charity’s role in the event, community fundraiser Judi Hibbert will lead a group of women in the Pink March to raise additional funds. Made up of those who are new to running, the March allows people to get in the spirit of the event and go at their own pace.

Nikki Barraclough, executive director at Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “Our research is at the heart of everything we do and we rely on donations to continue to develop new projects that investigate how to predict and prevent breast cancer.

“Events like the Great Manchester Run are a fantastic way to not only raise the money needed to fund such projects, but also to raise awareness of the charity and what we do.

"We’re extremely proud to fly the flag for Manchester and the research talent we have right here, giving us confidence that our ultimate goal of preventing breast cancer will become a reality.”

Visit www.preventbreastcancer.org.uk for more information.