A TOTAL of 600 runners will line up in Devizes this Sunday for the second Devizes Half Marathon, twice as many as last year.

A change of starting place, setting off from the Green rather than the Market Place, has allowed the organisers to open entries to more runners.

Registration closed yesterday for the race, which takes entrants on a scenic route out of the town through villages such as Etchilhampton, All Cannings and back through Horton, a distance of 13.1 miles, or 21 kilometres.

A loop around the centre of town just before the end will make up the statutory distance to compensate for the change in starting place.

Town mayor Pete Smith will see the runners off at 10am. The event is being sponsored by local brewers Wadworth & Co and proceeds will go to the Bag4Sport Foundation, which is based in Devizes but helps organisations throughout Britain.

Organiser Steve Fream, of Events Logic, based in Poulshot, said: “We have changed the route to ensure we can get more people around the course.

“We hope the new course will improve the safety for all runners.”

As it is officially a new course, there will be a new course record set, although entrants will have to go some to beat the one hour and 15 minutes set by last year’s winner, Gary O’Brien, from Swindon Harriers. The women’s race was won by Holly Rush, of Team Bath, who romped over the finish line in 1:19.

Ian Berry was the first to finish in the veteran men’s race in 1:22 while the first veteran woman was Sarah Alvis in 1:38.

Spectators are being encouraged to turn up to cheer on the runners. Local running shop Push Active will have a stand as will Devizes Running Club. Care UK representatives will be on the finish line, giving out medals and commemorative glasses.

Competitors are unlikely to suffer problems with heat as temperatures will be around 12 degrees Celsius with showers forecast.

Results will be posted on the website www. eventslogicuk.com shortly after the end of the race.