The city council is organising the event on 4 May, along a similar route to the Bristol Half Marathon.

Official race charities for the first event will be Penny Brohn Cancer Care and the Association of Children's Hospices.

About 15,000 runners are invited to take part. "Runners in Bristol have been asking for a 10km road race," said race director Georgette Van Hoof.

"The new Bristol 10km race will give runners, especially those new to the sport, the experience, fun and build up of taking part in a mass event.

"And anyone signing up to the 10km run now will also have the chance to book an advance place in the 2008 Bristol Half Marathon."