Millwall hero Neil Harris on his charity run

The fundraiser, in Victoria Park, supports the Everyman cancer charity, of which Harris became patron after his own successful fight against testicular cancer.

This is the third year of the event and one change is that participants can run either 5km or 10km. Harris will be tackling the longer distance.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to it, it's always a great day, great fun with a few pints afterwards. In fact, the only bit I'm not looking forward to is the distance.

"I had to do the 10k as all my friends and family who are taking part wanted to do it. I won't have any problems getting round but I'm not setting myself a time. I'll be more interested in catching up with people I know and making sure they get round okay."

Harris, 32 next month, will be joined by Hull City keeper Matt Duke, another cancer survivor, as well as some of his Millwall team-mates. He admitted the pain of the Scunthorpe defeat is taking time to fade.

He said: "I'm still feeling a little bit sorry for myself and I will be for a while. But we're back for pre-season on July 1 and I'll be fully focused on next season by then.

"What we achieved this season was good. We progressed immensely from last year and the year before that. We had some great results and equalled a club record with six wins in a row. We beat Leeds in the semi-finals, which was no mean feat, played at the new Wembley and also played a Premier League team in the fourth round of the FA Cup."

Harris modestly omitted his own personal achievement, beating Teddy Sheringham's long-standing club goalscoring record, but he was delighted to have made a competitive appearance at Wembley.

Although he turned out for the Lions in the 2004 FA Cup final against Manchester United, that game was in Cardiff, and he revealed he enjoyed the play-off final despite the defeat.

He said: "Playing at Wembley was a great experience and a great occasion. I'm extremely proud to have done so and it was fantastic for me at my age. It was also nice for my son. He's not old enough to remember the Cup final so I was really pleased to have had the chance for him to see me play at Wembley."

Harris, who has signed a one-year contract to stay at the Den next season, is optimistic the Lions can build on this season and clinch promotion to the Championship.

He said: "I'm delighted to have another year at Millwall. Last season was good for me personally and I'm sure next season will be even better. I think we can go one better and get that long-awaited promotion. It would be fantastic."

With his playing days drawing to a close Harris already is already looking at a new career in football and has been in Stoke all week working on his Level Four coaching badge.

He said: "Coaching is definitely something I want to do when I've retired. The course is pretty full on, from 9am to 9pm every day, which is not what professional footballers are used to but I'm really enjoying it."

When he is back in London Harris has the little matter of that 10k run to get through. Last year's Eveyman run raised over £45,000 for the charity's research into prostate and testicular cancer but for Harris the real point of Sunday's run is not the money.

He said: "It's about raising awareness and the more people who sign up the better. We've already got 400 people signed up but there is room for more.

"It's a very sociable event and everyone enjoys it. Over the next five years the event will continue to grow and I'm delighted to be involved in it."

Register for Sunday's run at keepyoureyeontheball.org or by phoning 0800 731 9468.