Salford stars Peter Hook and Rebecca Atkinson will be on the starting line up for this year's Bupa Great Manchester Run in aid of The Christie.

Thousands of participants have run for The Christie since the event was launched in 2003, but for the first time ever the famous cancer centre has been chosen as the main local charity.

The 10 kilometre run through Manchester City Centre takes place on Sunday 16th May 2010 and is one of the largest and most prestigious mass participation runs in the UK.

Peter Hook, musician from two of Manchester's most legendary bands Joy Division and New Order said; "It will be an honour to take part in this year's Great Manchester Run for The Christie. I was born and bred in Salford and Manchester and I know what vital and life-saving work is done every day for cancer patients at The Christie.

"I will be running for all cancer patients, especially my dear friends the late Tony Wilson and Dave Dee. I hope everyone signs up to run in support of The Christie, a world leading cancer centre right here in Manchester.

"I had the time of my life when I ran last year. I thought I'd done everything, but the depth of love, hope and support shown on the day left me breathless. It was a great day for great people for a great cause, and very important to all of us."

Salford-born actress Rebecca who plays Jockey landlady Karen Maguire in Shameless, said; "After all the Christmas parties and New Year's celebrations, taking part in this run for The Christie will be the perfect motivator to get back into fitness again! I've done a lot of work with The Christie and it is very close to my heart. I feel extremely passionate about supporting the charity in anyway I can."

Other celebrities who have also signed up to run for The Christie include Rebecca's Shameless co-stars Ben Batt, from Wigan, and Ciaran Griffiths and Coronation Street's Ryan Thomas who plays Jason Grimshaw and Katy Cavanagh, who plays Julie Carp.

Head of sporting events at the Christie charity, Jenny Haskey, said; "Registration for the run is now open, but places do go quickly so do act now to avoid disappointment. Visit www.greatrun.org and we'd be delighted if you choose The Christie as your chosen charity. All the money raised will help cancer patients now and in the future."

The Christie is currently building a new £17 million radiotherapy centre at Salford Royal, where cancer patients from Salford, Wigan and Bolton will be able to access first class radiotherapy treatments from Christie experts, but much closer to home. Building work has started and the centre will open in 2011.

As well as treating patients for the most common cancers like breast, bowel and lung, this special development will also be a national centre of excellence for treating brain conditions. It will be equipped to deliver stereotactic radiosurgery, a highly specialised neurosurgical technique for brain cancers - making it one of only a handful of such centres in the UK. Currently patients from Greater Manchester have to travel to Sheffield for this treatment.

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