More than 1,000 runners took part in what is being hailed as the first all-male charity run, staged in Hartlepool to raise funds for Cancer Research UK and Hartlepool Hospice last Sunday.
Organiser Micky Day decided to arrange the Miles for Men event after watching the women-only Race for Life on TV.
Several of his friends and family have been affected by cancer, including his father who died from the disease five years ago, and while watching the race he felt compelled to act.
Day told the Northern Echo that he had hoped to raise £7,000 from the 5km run, but has already raised £20,000 even before the sponsorship money comes in.
“Now, if we don’t raise £30,000, something’s wrong,” he said.
Day added that CRUK was “overjoyed” about the event, and he predicted that in future years it could be staged in other towns and cities around the UK.
He publicised the race through social media as well as local newspapers and radio.
“I think a lot of men wanted to do something, but Race for Life is only for women," Day said. "It was great to be able to say, well, this time there is something for men, something us men can do for the cause.”
Earlier this year CRUK changed the rules governing Race for Life to enable boys under 11 to participate, following complaints from a mother who wanted to run with her seven-year-old son.
