RUNNERS will need to start getting in shape for this year's Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon. The charity event is being launched today and is promising to be even better than last year.

All of the money raised will be going to help the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.

The half marathon, which is being sponsored by Nationwide, the Advertiser and Swindon Council, will kick off at 11am on Sunday, October 16, from Nation-wide Headquarters in Pipers Way.

Up to 3,000 people can take part in the run, which covers a tough, hilly course winding down Queens Drive, through Liddington and back to Piper's Way.

Anyone over 17 can take part in the marathon. Pete Robinson, race director, said: "It's a great way to get the entire community involved in a fundraising event. The onus really is on community and for people to come along and have a go."

Last year's winner was Swindon's Olympic marathon runner, 28-year-old Matt O'Dowd.

Mr Robinson said: "Last year we had around 2,000 runners and I'm hoping to reach the 3,000 mark this year."

He said: "We feel strongly that Prospect appeals to Swindon people and the money raised will benefit people directly in Swindon."

If you cannot manage the 13-mile half marathon there is also a multi-terrain 4.3-mile fun run at Coate Water, starting at 11.10am, and a two-mile children's fun run from Pipers Way to Queens Drive and back again, starting at 11.20am.

Nationwide are the main sponsors for the event. Michelle Leighton, community affairs manager, said: "This is a great event for everyone to take part in. We are delighted to be helping Prospect Hospice."

Prospect Hospice has to raise £2m every year. Maggie Gill, fundraising co-ordinator for Prospect Hospice, said: "We are thrilled to be the chosen charity of the Nationwide Swindon Fun Runs and Half Marathon in this our 25th anniversary year.

"Prospect will walk or run the journey alongside patients when they need us and what better way for our local community to demonstrate their support but to join in and make October 16 count for Prospect?

"I hope our local community will rise to the challenge and support us in our passion for making each day count."

James Trudgian, sales and marketing manager at the Adver, said: "We are delighted once again to be media sponsor of the Swindon Half Marathon. As a local paper we appreciate our role in helping the town to get active and to raise funds for local charities.

"We are proud to be Swindon and hope that our readers take up the challenge and however old or young they may be there is a race to suit them."

www.swindonhalfmarathon.co.uk

Lyndsay Scanlan