Mud, sweat and cheers this Saturday as hundreds of hardy runners gear up for the gruelling Push it for the Peace.

Peace Hospice Care is aiming to raise £80,000 through this year's event, which is taking place in the new location of Chiswell Green, St Albans.

Organisers say it's not too late to sign up for the obstacle challenge course, and are hoping hundreds more come along to cheer on the participants.

Those who take part will plunge down the 'belly flop' waterslide or slip helplessly through an eight-metre tunnel into the muddy sheep dip - just two of the 30 obstacles in this year's five-mile course.

Last year the event raised £70,000 for the charity.

There will be free parking nearby, children's rides, refreshments, live music and a beer tent.

Peace Hospice Care events and community fundraising manager, Pete Watson, said: "The weather is looking good and we really want to have as many entrants as possible to join in and face the challenge. We also welcome the community to come along, cheer and support the event and join in the fun."

The current age range of this year's entrants is from 16 to 68.

BT Open Reach Engineer Alex Lacey, 36, from Bushey, has stepped up to Push It for the Peace in memory of his dad, Alan, who died of a brain tumour in 2003.

He said: "I have massive respect and admiration for those who care for people with cancer and other illnesses and my heart goes out to people affected by cancer, everything I do I have my dad in the back of my mind. I just want my dad to be proud."

Alex will be 'pushing it' with his sister Amie, an inpatient nurse at Peace Hospice Care, along with other hospice colleagues Hilary Lythgoe, Melinda Smith and Lisa Goodman.

He added: "My job for the day will be to help get them around the course."

The aim of day is to have fun, get as wet and as muddy as possible and raise money for Peace Hospice Care.

Participants can run around the obstacles they don't like the look of and do not have to be very fit to take part.

To sign up or for more information, call the Peace Hospice Care events team on 01923 335373, email events@peacehospicecare.org.uk or visit www.peacehospicecare.org.uk/events. People can also sign up on the day.