The charity fun run is a major fund-raising initiative of the St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation, which was established in 2007 to support the ground-breaking work of researchers at St George and Sutherland hospitals.

The dash is run over three distances (10 and five kilometres, and the kids’ two kilometres) and follows the beachside path from Peter Depena Reserve, Dolls Point, to Kyeemagh and back again.

It is the only community fun run held in St George and is completely off-road.

Last year’s event raised $75,000 for research into trauma care, women’s health and cancer.

This years’ dash is being run as part of the Leader 50th Anniversary Appeal for Medical Research, which aims to raise $750,000 for the foundation by April next year.

The appeal has so far collected more than $400,000 for new research projects in nine primary healthcare areas. More than $3000 was raised for the appeal at the Leader Home Show in Sutherland on the weekend.

Foundation CEO David Tipler said he hoped this year’s dash would raise $100,000.

‘‘Each year the dash has attracted more than 1000 runners, with more than half of these coming from St George and Sutherland Shire,’’ Mr Tipler said.

The dash will again include eight ‘‘Sneaky Dragons’’ - runners who will complete the race in a specific time and whom other runners can run with to achieve that specific time.

The 10-kilometre event kicks off at 8am. There will be a sausage sizzle and a St George Private Hospital-sponsored ‘‘health zone’’, including massages, at Peter Depena Reserve on the day.

To enter, visit: Stgeorgemrf.com.au To join a Sneaky Dragon team, visit: Everyday Hero