A team of Gurkhas from Buckley Barracks in Hullavington will line up for the Chippenham Half Marathon.

They are among 1,600 competitors already signed up for the race on September 13, and organisers are confident of reaching their target of 1,800 competitors.

Organiser Kevin Napier, said: “We have runners coming from from Cornwall to Kent, from Dorset to Scotland and most places in between.”

Several roads in and around the town will be closed for the event and cones will be placed on Bristol Road from the Folly roundabout down to Chippenham Sports Club on Saturday night.

Mr Napier said: “We are working hard to ensure the Chippenham Half Marathon will cause a minimum of disruption to residents. Last year we had a lot of support from the people of Chippenham and we hope everybody will again come out and cheer the runners on.

“We did have a few problems last year with spectators out in the country. The roads on this section are quite narrow and spectators who parked on the roads and grass verges did make it quite awkward for the runners.

“We would ask spectators not to drive or park on the route and to consider local residents and the runners.”

Chippenham Sports Club is offering a £100 prize for anyone who can break the record set last year by Dave Mitchinson from Newham and Essex Beagles, who clocked 1hr 10mins 9secs.

For further information visit www.chippenhamhalfmarathon.co.uk