READY TO GO: Organizers at the August 21 press conference for the 15th Beijing Hope Run (CHEN RAN)

The 15th Beijing Hope Run will take place in Chaoyang Park on Saturday, September 28.

This year's run, covering a distance of approximately 8 kilometers will start at 9:00 a.m. in the Thousand People's Square and end at approximately 12:00 p.m.

The run is primarily organized and held by the Cancer Institute and Hospital (CIH) at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences as well as the China Cancer Foundation, with assistance in coordinating the event provided by the Embassy of Canada in Beijing and the Chaoyang District Health Bureau.

Singer Wei Wei has been appointed as this year's "care ambassador" for the run.

According to He Jie, President of the Cancer Institute and Hospital, more than 260,000 people have participated in the event since 1999, and over 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) has been raised for cancer research and treatment in China through the annual event.

The Beijing Hope Run was inspired in part by the Terry Fox Run, which was the largest single day cancer fundraiser in the world. The run was held in memory of Terry Fox, a Canadian bone cancer patient who ran 5,373 kilometers across Canada in 143 days whilst battling the illness in order to raise funds for cancer research in 1980.

Participants may register by contacting the Hope Run organizers at beijinghoperun@yahoo.cn or by calling 010-8778 8380.