IT’S the tenth anniversary of Chippenham Half Marathon and runners this year will be putting their best feet forward to help raise funds for Carer Support Wiltshire.

The event takes place on September 9 and between 1,500 and 2,000 people are expected to take part, hoping to complete the 13.1-mile course.

All the proceeds from the event, which is run entirely by volunteers, will go towards this year’s charity, Carer Support Wiltshire, which helps thousands of unpaid carers across the county, by providing services and signposting them to further support and information.

Paul Wilcock, who chairs the half marathon committee and is a member of the running club Chippenham Harriers, which organises the event, said he hoped the race would raise several thousands of pounds for the charity.

“Since we started in 2008 we have given away £70,000 to charity, so we hope to do well for Carer Support Wiltshire,” he said. “We like to help a local charity and it is well-known that support for carers is underfunded so this seemed a very good cause. I have had experience of caring myself, for my mother, who passed away last year.”

Paul and his fellow Harriers, who will be helped on the day by members of Corsham and Calne running clubs, are proud that for the first year the race is going ‘green’. There will be no single use plastic bottles, but instead runners will be given water pouches made from seaweed, which are completely biodegradable; some recyclable cups will also be provided.

Among the runners will be Lizzie Rapley, Carer Support Wiltshire’s partnerships and development officer.

“We are delighted that the organisers of this year’s Chippenham Half Marathon have chosen Carer Support Wiltshire to benefit and are very grateful to them,” she said. “Fundraising like this is essential for us to be able to provide the services we do for the thousands of unpaid carers across the county.

“Their support has inspired me to take part. I’ve still got some way to go in my training but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

For more information or to enter this year’s race, whose route goes through the centre of Chippenham and then follows scenic country lanes visiting local villages and hamlets including Tytherton Lucas, East Tytherton, Avon and Langley Burrell, visit https://www.chippenhamhalfmarathon.co.uk/.

For more information about Carer Support Wiltshire’s services or to help with fundraising, visit https://carersupportwiltshire.co.uk/ or call free on 0800 181 4118.