RUNNERS will be raising money for a mix of national and local charities on Sunday when they take part in the Chippenham Half Marathon.

The 13.1 mile course starts at the Chippenham Sports Club before heading along Bristol Road and taking in the villages of Stanley, The Tythertons, Kellaways and Langley Burrell before finishing back at the sports club.

More than 1,700 runners have signed up for the race, which gets underway at 9.30am, many running for local and national charities.

The race’s main charity this year will be Dorothy House Hospice, although other local charities will also benefit.

Race committee member, Ian Wiggins, said: “It’s an excellent cause, everybody, in some shape or form, knows someone who has needed hospice care. I think it’s a very good local cause.

“There’s been quite a rush of entries over the last few weeks, it’s filled up quite nicely and people can still enter until tomorrow morning.”

Chippenham midwives Emma Witts and Fiona Dallimore are running to raise money for the Chippenham Birthing Centre. The ladies have set a target of £500 to spruce up the centre for new mothers.

The family and friends of sport-loving Samuel Copeland, who died aged 21 in October last year, are also completing the 13.1 miles to raise awareness and money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

And three members of nine-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Kitty Boo are hoping to be joined for the 50m by Kitty and her tripod sticks as she continues her quest to walk unaided for the first time.

Among the teams taking part is Trowbridge business Way To Go Digital who are gearing up to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Mother of two and founder of the business, Debbie Betteridge, decided to run the race last October whilst visiting her father in hospital and has already raised over £350 for the cancer charity.

She said: “During a visit we discussed whether I still had another half marathon in me, and Dad said he thought I did.

“Unfortunately he passed away two weeks later from sepsis brought on by pneumonia so I’m running for him and a charity that helps other men suffering with prostate cancer.”Health clinic, Park Lane Practice, will be on hand with free massages and advice for runners.

A spokesman for the practice said: “We have our team of Osteopaths and Massage therapists on hand before the race to treat any last minute niggles.

“Once the runners get back it is mayhem. We treat tired legs and feet, lower backs, necks and knees, whatever is required.”