Coun Stan PajakSeptember 23 2004: ENERGETIC Swindon councillors will be sweating it out with hundreds of runners at next month's half marathon.

Chris Shepherd, Stan Pajak, David Nash and Dale Heenan are busy preparing for the big race on October 17.

Coun Pajak challenged civic leaders to enter during a meeting last week and he said it would be a "battle to the death".

"I issued a challenge to stand up and be counted," he said. "There will be a bit of politically rivalry but it is all good fun."

The Liberal Democrat, who started running seven years ago, could have a bit of an unfair advantage as in the last 12 months he has completed the Edinburgh Marathon and the Reading Half Marathon.

"I'm not brilliant but I hope to complete the half marathon in about one hour 45 minutes," he said.

The four councillors will have the chance to claim some of the prizes up for grabs.

Sportswear giant Adidas has thrown its weight behind the event by offering prize bonuses to participants.

Some gifts will be given out at random and others will be awarded to the top placed athletes.

Adidas will also have a foot scanner in the starting area which will tell runners which type of running shoes suit them best.