Adam Hamilton won’t quite have the weight of the world on his shoulders when he takes part in the Gloucester 10K on Sunday but he will certainly be carrying a very heavy burden.

You see, Hamilton, from Tewkesbury, is attempting a Guinness World Record for the 10K while running with a 45kg bagpack.

Hamilton is raising money for the Mental Health Foundation and the 45kg weight represents the burdens people carry around with them on a daily basis and feel unable to talk about.

The current world record is one hour, 25 minutes, 17 seconds and Hamilton hopes that by attempting to set a new best time he can inspire others to find the strength to become the strongest version of themselves both mentally and physically.

Meanwhile, the Gloucester 10K is the first of 50 10K races that Mark Kirkham is attempting to run in 12 months to mark his 50th birthday.

Kirkham, from Haverfordwest in mid-Wales, is also hoping to raise £50,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Lauryn Bentham is also running for Macmillan Cancer Support. Bentham, from Chepstow, was diagnosed with skin cancer but has made a full recovery and started running short races to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

This year she has decided to run ultra-distance races and her plans include taking part in the Cotswold Running Festival 100-miler, Dartmoor 50-miler, the King Offa’s Dyke race over 185 miles and the Berlin Marathon.

The first race of the day on Sunday – the 2K children and family run – gets under way at 8.30am and Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, will start all of the day’s races.

Joanne Brown, the Major of Gloucester, will present the prizes while Paul James, leader of Gloucester City Council, will be running in the main race.

Entries will be taken on the day at the race HQ in Gloucester Park from 6.30am to 8.45am.

The race start is on Trier Way opposite Gloucester Park and the finish is in Gloucester Park off Spa Road.

Race timings
8.30am: The 2K Children & Family Run
8.55am: City of Gloucester 10K Wheelchair Race
9am: City of Gloucester 10K Run
9am: Corporate 10K Team Business Challenge