THE waiting is finally over for the thousands expected to register for this year's 10th Anniversary Great Midlands Fun Run.

The online registration for this year's Mercury-sponsored run on Sunday June 10 opens at midday tomorrow (Friday).

Postal applications will start next week, when the official entry form will be published in the Mercury.

Fun Run event director Tracey Spare said: "In preparation for the online launch, the team at Reflection Marketing and I have been working long into the night this week to rebuild the administration side of the website and introduce some new features.

"Despite an additional 1,000 places available, taking the race capacity to 7,000, our advice remains to complete your registration as soon as possible."

Postal application forms will be distributed to local authority pools, leisure centres, libraries and sports retailers during the early part of next week, and you can find out where you can collect entry forms by visiting the website from February 9.

Alternatively, you can email registration@greatmidlandsfunrun.com with your name, and address to request how many application forms you require, and they will be posted out during next week.

There will also be an opportunity for people to register in person, and collect additional application forms and posters, on Saturday February 11 at Our Place Community Hub, Farthing Lane, Sutton Coldfield between 10am and 2.30pm.

Last year, Fun Run entrants generated a record-breaking £228,000 for charities, voluntary organisations and community interest groups, taking the nine-year total since the launch in 2002 to over £1.24 million.

Entry fees for 2012 are £17 adults; £10 juniors and £5 dogs, and registration will close when either 7,000 places have been filled or by Saturday March 31.

For the first time, the Fun Run is also offering a dedicated online fundraising package with Virgin Money Giving.

Tracey added: "I've been conscious for several years of the growth in online fundraising.

"However, none of the operators has been able to provide us with the information we need, to ensure the total announced at the end of the year is accurate.

"So I'm thrilled that Virgin Money Giving has adapted its systems to provide us with that information.

"As a not-for-profit organisation, Virgin can keep its charges lower than any other operators, which means more of the hard-earned sponsor money reaches chosen charities – which is, after all, the key objective of the run.

"We will continue to provide every entrant with an official sponsor form, as not everyone is able or willing to go online."

The Mercury is keen to discover local people who are planning to enter and have an interesting story to tell.

Please call 01543 256501.