The Wearmouth-Jarrow World Heritage Site bid would put the joint sites on the tourism map and make them as historically significant as places like the Taj Mahal or the Great Wall of China.

And Reverend Dr Ian Stockton will be pulling on his trainers in the Bupa Great North 10k next week to help the bid stay on track.

A keen runner since 1983, Dr Stockton, team rector of Monkwearmouth, will be running past historic St Peter's Church – which makes up part of the bid.

He said: "I am very much looking forward to taking part in this year's run, especially as it takes in a number of Sunderland's key attractions and beauty spots, including St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, which makes up part of the UK's World Heritage Site Bid.

"It is such a beautiful church and we are delighted people from across the country and the region, who are taking part in the event, will have a chance to see the magnificent building as they run the route.

"For all we know, 7th century monks may have run around Wearmouth and Jarrow, and we could be following in their steps."

St Peter's, along with St Paul's in Jarrow, form the twin Anglo-Saxon monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, as the UK's nomination for World Heritage Site status in 2010.

Parts of the 7th century buildings still stand on both sites and it was the home of Bede, who was the most influential figures in contemporary culture.

Around 5,000 fun-runners are expected to take part in the inaugural Bupa Great North 10k, which takes place around the streets of Sunderland on Sunday, July 12.

The course starts and finishes at the Stadium of Light, taking in the city centre, Wearmouth Bridge and Mowbray Park.

* To enter the Bupa Great North 10k, log onto the official website here. Entries close on Thursday at 8am.