Organisers of the Chippenham Half Marathon are encouraging runners and sponsors to get involved when it returns in 2013.

The event did not take place in 2012 due to a lack of people on the organising committee.

The half marathon, on Sunday September 15, is organised by Chippenham Harriers and chairman Mike Bright said they hoped to have the same number of runners taking part as in 2011 which was 2,200.

He said: “The Chippenham Half Marathon is a high quality event which appeals to both experienced runners, novices and fun runners alike. We hope to build on the previous year’s success to make 2013 the best yet.”

Mr Bright said the Harriers will be working hard to maintain the standard which saw it voted third in the Runners World magazine’s top ten half marathons of 2011.

He said: “We have put together a team made up of previous members of the organising committee with a couple of new members in order to help secure the event’s long term future while, at the same time, ensuring we draw on the experience and skills which made the event such a success in previous years.”

The Harriers resurrected the half marathon in 2008 after an absence of 12 years.

Mr Bright said the Harriers were in the process of seeking sponsorship and will decide the main charities that will benefit in the new year. In 2011 it raised £12,000 for local charities, not including the amounts raised by individuals.

Race organiser Ian Wiggins is delighted the event is back on in 2013.

“Over the years the Chippenham Half Marathon has raised more than £30,000 for good causes, in addition to the sponsorship raised by its many runners, so I am delighted that we will be back again in 2013,” he said.

Entries will open at the beginning of March. Details are on the website www.chippenhamhalfmarathon.co.uk Chippenham Harriers meets Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at Chippenham Sports Club while the youth section meets on Wednesday evenings at Chippenham Sports Dome.