IT’S that time of the year again when everyone you know seems to be taking part in a sponsored climb, cycle, run, walk or hike to raise money for some worthy cause or another.

But if the biggest challenge you have set yourself this summer is not to eat an entire packet of Jaffa Cakes before bed each night, then the Run4Fun in Colchester’s Castle Park in September could be for you.

Organised by Colchester-based solicitors, Birkett Long, the 2.5-mile race, on September 17, will give families the chance to dress up in a Wild West theme costume, go for a run, and raise money for some of the Mayor of Colchester’s chosen charities for the year.

It’s the perfect option for those of us who would like to stretch themselves for a worthy cause, but perhaps not enough to pull any major muscles.

To prepare for my race as a runner for Team Gazette, I spent an hour at Bannatyne’s Health Club, in Grange Way, Colchester, with exercise therapist, Steve Batchelor. With six weeks to go before the big day, Steve tells me I have more than enough time to prepare.

He said: “Just by making a few simple changes, you can get your body better prepared for a relatively short race like the Run4Fun. It really depends on how much exercise you have done already and how fit you are to start with.

“If you are someone who has never done any exercise before, then I would recommend going out for 20-minute walks in the first week and after that including a few minutes of running into the walk.”

In order to work out my own personal fitness level, I’m attached to a heart rate monitor and asked to start walking at a fast pace on the treadmill. For the next 20 minutes, I have to walk, jog and run while Steve checks my heart rate, which should reveal my level of fitness.

During the first ten minutes of jogging, I assure Steve that as I am a member of my local gym and regular walker, I’m probably reasonable fit. My confidence wanes considerably as I reach 15 minutes on the runner and Steve is telling me to pick up the pace.

When he tells me I have four minutes of running left, I feel like crying.

When Steve cheerfully tells me I have 30 seconds left, I sigh with exhaustion and relief...little did I know those 30 seconds would be the longest of my life. I’m not sure exactly what I’ve been doing in the gym for the past year, but it sure wasn’t this, and it becomes apparent that unless I plan to crawl for 2.5-miles during the race, I will have to put in a little preparation.

After my ordeal, Steve tells me that with my current fitness level, I could probably just about complete the race...If I were carried some of the way and were able tostop at regular intevals. Unfazed by my slightly disappointing performance on the treadmill, I am now starting a simple six-week programme of running which should see me sprinting to success on September 17.

However, for those of you who just want a bit of fun, the Run4Fun promises to be a good day out. Jennie Skingsley, race co-ordinator for Birkett Long, said: “We are expecting about 500 entrants this year and we have people of all ages enter.

“It is a fun family event more anything, but it can also be a great focus for improving fitness.”

Anyone interested in taking part, call Jennie on 01206 217605, e-mail run4fun@birkettlong.co.uk or go to www.birkettlong.co.uk