A farm is planning to help beat bowel cancer with a lung-busting encounter, inviting hundreds of runners to take on an 5K Obstacle Run for Bowel Cancer West.

Monkey bars, ice baths, cargo nets, a straw pyramid and a water-slide are just some of the challenges lined up as participants are showed with brightly coloured paint along a five-kilometre course at the very first ‘Total Obstacle Run for Bowel Cancer West’.

Retired farmer David Darke and his Grandson Tom, who manages Trendwell Farm, South Milton, were keen to host a big event for the charity that David co-founded in 2009 following his own scare with bowel cancer.

David said: “I was lucky to survive this disease, thanks to an early diagnosis and some excellent care at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

“It was after surgery that I got chatting to my surgeon Mark Coleman and asked him if there was a local charity I could support. His reply was: ‘No - but the South West could certainly benefit from one’.

“It went from there really. BCW was formed and has since funded some fantastic projects including further training for local medical staff, internationally renowned research and helped raise a lot of awareness of the UK’s second biggest cause of death by cancer.

“The projects we fund are south west based with a view to improving diagnosis and care for local people and we hope this event will become a good way of supporting our cause long into the future.

“With few events like this in the local area, it will also be a hell of a lot of fun for participants!”

Race Director and owner of Total Fitness and Health, Mark Smith said: “The course will be suitable for people of all abilities. It will be challenging enough for experienced runners wanting to establish the first course record, but also achievable for anyone who hasn’t entered an event of this nature before.

“Competition between teams and a lot of brightly coloured paint will make for a great spectacle as well. We were keen to help this great charity with their vital work and send a positive message to encourage fitness and health as a way of cancer prevention.

“A big thank you to the Darke family and to our sponsors Wolferstans Solicitors for making this event possible.”

The run take place on Saturday, September 29, and early bird registration is now open with limited

places. Visit www.bowelcancerwest.com to confirm your place. Entrants must be 16 and over, and teams must have at least five members.

Entry will be refunded to participants raising over £100 for the charity and participants will receive a free T-shirt and medal. Spectators are welcome and local food and drink stands on site.