n MIRACLE man Fabrice Muamba will be the honorary starter of Britain’s biggest 10k running event, the Bupa Great Manchester Run, on Sunday, May 26.

Muamba, whose heart stopped beating for 78 minutes after he collapsed on the pitch during the Wanderers vs Tottenham, FA Cup match on March 17, last year, will have a team of 25 runners, one for each year of his life, in the event.

The team, which will include Bolton Wanderers club chaplain, Phil Mason, will run for the Arrhythmia Alliance ‘Hearts and Goals’ campaign, which helps place lifesaving AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in communities.

Muamba said: “I was delighted to be asked to get the 40,000 runners on their way and it represents a great opportunity for the Hearts and Goals campaign to raise money for their vital work.”

In addition to the team of 25 runners, Nova, the organisers of the Bupa Great Manchester Run and the charity, are hoping to recruit a football fan from all the Premier and Football League teams in England to ‘Run for Muamba.’ Fans will be encouraged to run in their football shirts in a show of unity for Fabrice and to celebrate his recovery.

To support runners for the Arrhythmia Alliance, Heart and Goals Campaign, you can text your donation by using JustTextGiving by Vodafone by texting FABS25 and the amount you wish to donate to 70070.