A dedicated 20-strong team of runners is gearing up to take on the biggest half marathon in the world this Sunday.

Over the last few months, the group has been hammering Hartlepool’s streets in preparation for the gruelling Great North Run 13.1-mile challenge.

This weekend they will proudly debut new running vests designed specifically for the occasion.

Now in its fifth year of fielding participants for the Great North Run, the Hartlepool-based PFC Trust charity is sending its largest team ever to the starting line.

Some of The PFC Trust's runners gather in Hartlepool for a pre-Great North run session. Picture: Scott Llewellyn

placeholder image — Some of The PFC Trust's runners gather in Hartlepool for a pre-Great North run session. Picture: Scott Llewellyn

Trust chair Jen Beveridge will be joined by Shaun Hope, Max Creasey, Olly Walker, Samara Cartwright, Bobby Cartwright, Seth Anderson, Ben Newbigin, Tom Leighton, Paul Hewitson, Matt Atkinson, Adam Brooks, Joseph Fraser, Keith Hutchinson, Andrew Cavendish, Neil Brooks, James Nicolle, Jemma Nicolle, Ben Wright and James Guttridge.

The world famous route will see the group heading up to Newcastle to start the showpiece, navigating the crowds and challenging inclines before finally crossing the finish line in South Shields.

For many of the participants the physical toll of training has been a completely new experience.

Jen said: “I have never done anything quite like this before and I have worked incredibly hard just to get to this point.

“I ran 21km on Sunday to consolidate the distance and I am now hoping for a good run.

“I am definitely feeling a mix of excitement and nerves ahead of the big day, but it is absolutely fantastic that so many people are coming together to run for such an important cause.

“Hopefully all our runners will have a great day and I am very proud so many of us are running for The PFC Trust.”

The Great North Run will serve as the spectacular grand finale to the charity’s UchangeLives fundraising week.

The week-long campaign has rallied the community through a variety of engaging events, including a highly successful third charity golf day at Seaton Carew and several other local challenges.

The festivities officially kicked off last Sunday with a splash when PFC Trust founder Frances Connolly was thoroughly soaked taking part in the Ice Bucket Challenge at Middlesbrough Velodrome.

Every step taken and pound raised this weekend will go directly toward supporting individuals and community projects.

Kelly Brooks, operations manager at The PFC Trust, said: “The impact that this fundraising will have on improving the lives and life chances of people in Hartlepool is incredible.”