NEXT year's Swindon Half Marathon is finally off the starting blocks and looks set to be run in September.

Plans to bring back the town's biggest race in the form of a half marathon were announced earlier this year. Now organisers have reached the stage where they are working out a route and a date for it.

Principal recreation manager for the borough council, Peter Robinson, said: "We plan to announce a date in the New Year, but we haven't fixed it as yet.

"We are in the process of finding the most appropriate one but it should be before the Great North Run."

They also want to include two extra fun runs on the day, for children and the less serious athletes.

"It is important for us to try and involve the community as much as possible," he explained.

Because of recent emphasis on improving the health and fitness of children, one idea is to have a mini 2km run for children.

Another 10km fun run is also planned.

"The half marathon will still be targeted at the community, but it will attract the more serious road runners," Mr Robinson said.

"There are lots of towns across the country, who organise some sort of fun run. The last time Swindon did anything on a grand scale was the marathon itself."

"It is a good way of encouraging people towards a sporting achievement.

"The Run for Life at Lydiard Park has become more successful every year and there are obviously a lot of people who enjoy taking part in fun runs," he added.

Organisers have already approached Swindon Harriers and are hoping to involve as many different community groups as possible to take part in the day.

Harriers coach Howard Moscrop said the more groups that got involved to help, the better.

"I think it is a good idea and Peter Robinson has certainly got a lot of good ideas to go with it."

But he said organising a road race was a difficult task and it was important for people to come forward and help.

Sponsored by the Nationwide, the Evening Advertiser and the Swindon campus of the University of Bath, the event is expected to raise thousands of pounds for charities in the town.

Michelle Leighton, community affairs manager at Nationwide said: "The building society is delighted to be sponsoring the half marathon in 2004.

"We believe that this event will lift Swindon and we are pleased that we can play a part in making it happen."

Tina Clarke