BOXING champion Anthony Crolla has launched an appeal to find runners to join him on this year's Great Manchester Run at the Bolton gym where he has honed his trade.
Anthony is searching for runners to join 'Crolla's Army', with 12 places being awarded to those who give the best reasons why they should be included.
His appeal was made at a photocall at Gallaghers Gym in Prince Street, Bolton, where he worked with top trainer Joe Gallagher in preparation to win the WBA world lightweight championship last year.
His team is made up of one person per boxing round, and all team members will receive a personal training session with Anthony as well as support and encouragement from him.
They will also receive a branded ‘Crolla’s Army’ running shirt, and will be joined by Anthony at the start and finish line of the race for last minute pep-talks and to help them along.
The Great Manchester Run takes place on Sunday, May 22, and will feature about 40,000 runners pounding the streets of Manchester across a 10km route.
Anthony said: "I’ve been lucky enough to run the Great Manchester Run twice before and it is a fantastic day for the city.
"For me it is one of, if not the best day of the year for the city of Manchester. The support the run gets each and every year just grows and grows and it’s just great to be a part of it.
"Crolla’s Army is my Great Manchester Run team this year. It’s going to be with 12 other people, including my gym mate Callum Smith, each representing a round in a boxing fight.
"The team is going to be made up of runners of all different levels, shapes, sizes and ages. You’ve not got to be a world record holder or anything like that, it’s just about getting out there, enjoying it and raising some awareness and money for some great charities and causes.
"This year I’m going to be raising money and awareness for autism charities. It’s a cause close to my heart. My little godson is autistic, friends of mine also have relatives with autism so it will be great to raise some more money and awareness for such an important cause."
Those interested should invited should submit a maximum of 100 words on why they want to be part of Crolla’s Army to crollaarmy@greatrun.org by noon on Monday, February 22.
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