AMBITIOUS plans for the next St Helens 10K will see entrants finish inside the new Saints stadium, the Star can exclusively reveal.

Launching the event this week, the Steve Prescott Foundation and a host of local sponsors confirmed it will now take place on Sunday, March 11, 2012 (date has been brought forward from March 18 by organisers since article was published).

Organisers hope numbers of runners, joggers and walkers will climb dramatically on the inaugural event, when nearly 700 people entered, and believe a revised course and the spectacular stadium will prove a huge draw.

The challenging route will start outside the stadium and pass through the town centre, while the hilly stretches of North Road and Victoria Park are still a fixture.

Prescott, the inspirational cancer battler, is keen to build upon the success of this year’s run, which brought a colourful spectacle and feelgood atmosphere to the town’s streets.

The former Saints full back said: “The Foundation is really excited about next year’s run. The prospect of finishing at the new stadium was always our intention after the inaugural event.

“It is great to see local businesses and Saints RLFC supporting our philosophy of providing a stage to promote health and well-being to the St Helens public.”

Saints are once again firmly behind the 10K and some of their players may even join in if their training and match schedules allow it.

Skipper Paul Wellens, who this week joined charities and sponsors for the launch beside the stadium, told the Star: “It was a huge success last year and I think it will only get better.

“It’s an important event in the calendar and fantastic for the town as it gets people out and keeping fit.

“It’s one of those events that really brings the town together and at Saints we are backing it 100 per cent.

“Depending on our training or game schedule I may take part. If not then we’ll be down here cheering everyone on.

“The stadium will certainly prove a big draw, without a doubt. When I looked at the drawings I thought it would be quite good, but it has exceeded my expectations just to see the enormity of it.

“I can’t wait to get out there to run about – and I’m quite sure the supporters share that view.”

Saints’ chairman, Eamonn McManus, said the club was eagerly awaiting the community event: “Our new stadium will be a perfect theatre for all the athletes and spectators.

“It will provide them with a thrilling climax to the challenging 10K course.”

The Steve Prescott Foundation and five other local charities will benefit from fundraising.

They are Willowbrook Hospice, Tunza’s Pride, Honeyrose Foundation, Andy Reid’s Soldiers Charity and the Saints Foundation.

Organisers, meanwhile, are delighted by the backing local businesses are showing to the challenge, which will be called the GPW Legal Services St Helens 10K Run in association with Hattons Solicitors.

Arranging large scale running events have considerable costs and the sponsorship from a raft of firms has proved pivotal to the Steve Prescott Foundation.

GPW Legal Services has been born out of a business venture with law firm Hattons Solicitors, which has chosen to maintain its support for the run.

Mark Parish, GPW’s managing director, said: "We are very excited to be sponsors of the St Helens 10K Run 2012.

“A number of staff from GPW took part in last year’s run and really enjoyed it. Steve Prescott is truly inspirational. His ongoing battle against cancer and his amazing positive mental attitude sets him apart from most people!"

The new Tesco, which recently donated £2,000 to the Steve Prescott Foundation to help with the 10K, will host signing-up days as well as given participants a free bottle of water and t-shirt.

To enter and keep up to date with the 10K run visit sthelens10krun.org.uk or contact Martin Blondel on 07971 792859.