THE countdown is underway for the first-ever Ryedale Run.

And you don't have to be a runner to take part in the event, to raise money for Malton Hospital, a warm welcome will also be given to walkers.

The event will be held on Sunday, September 29. The main run, in a change of format, will now set off from the Wentworth Arms in Old Malton. Organiser Sylvia Milson has put out an appeal for a minibus to ferry participants to the site from the old Malton showfield, or the Wentworth Street car park.

She is also desperately seeking a big screen digital clock to go on the top of the race vehicle during the ten-mile run.

She said: "We really need it for the car at the front of all the runners. I was hoping that someone might know of one and be able to lend it to us for the race."

Anyone who can help should contact Sylvia at Robinson and Co, Wheelgate, Malton, on (01653) 690133.

The event will be taking place along the roads of Malton, Old Malton and into nearby countryside.

And there are high hopes it will become a regular fundraising event, making money for the hospital as well as a host of other nominated charities.

The ten-mile run starts at 11am with a one-mile junior race scheduled for 10am.

Entrants on the day will be welcome. Entry is £8 for individual entrants; £7 for attached runners; £1 for the junior mile.

Three trophies have been donated. Nick Taylor of Yates & Sons in Railway Street is giving a trophy and a Yates voucher to the first finisher from Malton or Norton. MKM has donated trophies for the first male and first female across the finish line.

Updated: 09:32 Wednesday, September 18, 2002